The wife of the governor of Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi has explained the rationale behind the state’s recent resolve to keep every pregnant girl in school, saying that it was to ensure that their future is not jeopardized.
Erelu Fayemi also called on Nigerian Women to be politically engaged and active so as to ensure that their rights and privileges are guaranteed.
The Ekiti State Governor’s Wife who made the call at the 18th Annual Conference of the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WimBiz) which held in Lagos, said women must come together for the realisation of the recommendations of Beijing conference towards liberating the women from shackles of limitations imposed patriarchal institutions. The conference was tagged: “Shaping the future: Strategizing to win.”
Erelu Fayemi while addressing the gathering of women drawn from within and outside the country, expressed displeasure over global statistics that showed very low score card in the achievement on gender inequality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria.
According to the Ekiti State Governor’s Wife, Nigeria ranked among the 20 worst countries in the world for women to live, citing other countries as Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Iran among others.
She said such development called for concerted efforts from women stakeholders to ensure there is improvement and a change for the better in gender advocacy.
Erelu Fayemi said: “25 years after Beijing conference many women still struggled across Africa despite access to education and empowerment opportunity. We appreciate the management of WimBiz for the platform given to women to thrive and for your efforts at sustaining the outcome of the Beijing conference.
“For women to strategize to win they must understand patriarchy power and privileges, and put in place legislative and policy frameworks to combat those structures. Women must also be politically engaged.
“I therefore urge our already accomplished women to always mentor younger generation of women in other to take charge after them, prepare for life transition and show love to their fellow women.
“We must strive for affirmative action that would empower women to take more active part in politics. We must also ensure that there are legal frameworks to ensure women empowerment. We must also have an agenda for development, which has to be tailored towards effecting positive change,” she said.
Earlier, the conference Chairperson, Justice Rose Ukeje stressed the need for the women to be bold and institutionalize themselves in their areas of professional callings.
In her address, Chairperson WINBIZ Executive Council, Mrs. Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi said the organization was founded in 2002 with the aim of creating an engaging forum for younger women with the right values.
She said WINBIZ as an organisation supports women in business, promote an investment culture as well encouraged and support women to venture into politics.
WIMBIZ as a contributory associate produced over 765 accomplished women and more than 9,700 women on its database.
“We regularly collaborate with credible local and multinational organisations to deliver programmes, which have reached more than 107,465 women. Our vision is to be the catalyst that elevates the status and influence of women and their contribution to nation building. Our mission is to inspire and empower women to attain leadership positions in business, management and public services “she said.
The colourful event had in attendance dignitaries like The Chairperson, Executive council, Mrs. Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi, Trustee WIMBIZ, Mrs. Yewande Zaccheaus and a host of others.
Packaged by Emmanuel Adeniran
