Morolake Oluwatosin
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ in Ekiti state has raised alarm over what it described as an high rate of setback bedeviling gender equality in the country.
NAWOJ expressed this concern in commemoration of this year International Women’s Day annually celebrated on March 8 across the globe.
The theme of this year celebration is: “Breaking the Bias”.
NAWOJ in a statement by the Chairperson Mrs Fatima Bello and the secretary Mrs Adewumi Ademiju regretted the disapproval
of bills seeking to promote gender equality in the ongoing constitutional amendment.
The bills for special seats for women in the legislature, indigeneship, citizenship and 35 percent party leadership did not scale through during the voting on the constitution amendment in both Chambers of the National Assembly.
The Women Journalists expressed serious concern on “how sustainable tomorrow can be achieved when the modalities are jettisoned by the stakeholders”.
The statement added that “international women’s day celebration is crucial considering the social cultural achievements of women and how the Women folks are growing up liberating the society from various Challenges, despite the hindrances they are facing out of inequalities”
NAWOJ lauded gender advocates on their perseverance urged them to step up activities in order to achieve gender equality for a better tomorrow and the benefit of the girl child.
The Women Journalists therefore appealed “to the concerned authorities to have a rethink on the rejected women bills and do the needful for peace, development and sustainability to thrive in the society”
NAWOJ Congratulates Women and Girl child on this year’s event, enjoined everyone to intensify efforts in achieving gender equality for sustainability.