Nigeria’s First Lady and President of African First Ladies Peace Mission, Dame Patience Jonathan has called for greater women participation in all endeavours across Africa ,
According to a press release by her media adviser, Mr Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele , the First Lady made the clarion call in anticipation of United Nations’ celebration of International Women’s Day slated for the 8th March (of every year) with the theme, ’Make it happen,’ which calls for the effective action to advance the cause of women to achieve equality globally in all ramifications of life and encouraging them to do more.
Patience Jonathan said she recognized the fact that women all over the world should be given their rights and privileges so as to encourage them to always give their best when the need arises.
She enjoined government institutions and the private sector to put in place advocacy and legal framework to enact laws and policies that will protect women’s rights and create enabling environment for them to be self-reliant.
Mrs Jonathan also implored women based organizations, the civil society groups to take up the challenge of women’s equality with men by increasing awareness of gender sensitive issues and propagate gender friendly policies that will allow women to aspire to their chosen careers and attain financial independence.
Referring to Beijing Conference’s 35 per cent Affirmative Action, which has been matched by the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, by giving the Nigerian women a voice in both appointive and elective positions, she said the women should reciprocate the government’s unprecedented gesture by casting their votes for Mr. President on March 28, 2015.
