As plans are being concluded for the celebration of the International Women’s Day on Wednesday, the Oyo State Government has made case for the recognition of pivotal various roles of women in the nation’s development, adding that the celebration was the culmination of many long and difficult years of struggle for women’s rights.
The state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community Development, Social Welfare and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Atinuke Osunkoya, stated this on Tuesday during a ministerial press briefing, heralding this year’s women’s day celebration and the opportunity to showcase her achievements in office.
According to her, this year’s women’s day celebration with the theme: “Time is now: Rural and Urban activities Transforming Women’s Lives,” was aimed at acknowledging the leading roles of women in the country, any where they found themselves and their aims in fostering human rights principle.
“The celebration of International Women’s Day commemorates the political, social and economic achievements of women. Over the decades, the objective of the celebration has evolved and embraced culture and ethnicity to emerge as a celebration of appreciation, respect and love towards women,” the commissioner added.
She hinted that her ministry has created an enabling environment where the rights to survival, protection and development of the people, especially the most vulnerable groups, as well as their empowerment to participate in the benefit from the socio-economic development process are enhanced. Osunkoya noted that her ministry would collaborate with relevant stakeholders towards ensuring gender mainstreaming in policy formulation, planning and budgeting process to achieve the rights to survival, protection, development and participation of the vulnerable groups.
As part of her achievements in office, the commissioner disclosed that her ministry had empowered one hundred and twenty-six thousand, nine hundred sixty one (126, 961) women across the 33 local government areas in the state under the state’s women empowerment programme.
Packaged by Dare Alesinloye
