The Cabinet and Special Services Department of Ekiti State commemorated the 2025 International Women’s Day with a vibrant gathering of female civil servants, emphasizing the theme “Accelerate Action.” The event, held on 13th of March at the Old Exco Chamber, attracted female officers from neighbouring offices. The celebration spotlighted the vital role of women in public service and underscored the need for continued progress in gender equality for a balanced society.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of Cabinet and Special Services Department, Dr.Oyeyemi Kayode-Ojo, highlighted the significance of the day, urging women to embrace diligence, competence, and self-improvement. She traced the history of International Women’s Day celebrations in Ekiti State to March 11, 2011, during Governor John Kayode Fayemi’s first administration, and encouraged women to embrace self-development for better productivity while prioritizing healthy living. She also mentioned that the International Women’s Day is domesticated in MDAs on the platform of Ekiti State Women in Management (EKWIM), a forum consisting of female management level officers across all cadres in the public service. She then stated that the celebration is upheld to actualize EKWIM’s mandate of impacting upcoming female officers for effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery.
The event featured two impactful lectures. Dr. Olabisi Ogunmodede, Director, Special Services, delivered the first lecture in tandem with the theme of the 2025 International Women’s Day, “Accelerate Action”, stressing the urgency of taking decisive actions towards women’s empowerment in all ramifications. She addressed socio-cultural, political, and religious barriers hindering women’s progress and called for accelerated efforts in education, digital inclusion, politics, healthcare, and gender-sensitive policies for women.
While delivering the second lecture, Mrs. Olufunke Martins-Adetoye, focused on women’s health under the theme “The Woman and Her Body.” She highlighted the importance of holistic well-being, discussing issues such as hormonal imbalance, menopause, stress management, and the impact of poor diet on women’s health.
The discussions sparked interactive question-and-answer sessions, allowing participants to gain deeper insights into gender-related challenges and health concerns. In her closing remarks, Dr. Ogunmodede expressed gratitude to attendees and called for collaborative efforts towards women’s emancipation.
Ekiti State’s 2025 International Women’s Day celebration in Cabinet and Special Services Department reaffirmed the Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s led administration’s commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women, with Ekiti State being one of the States with highest women participation in governance.