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Tag: IWD

  • China Reaffirms Commitment to Women’s Empowerment in Nigeria

    China Reaffirms Commitment to Women’s Empowerment in Nigeria

    By Michael Onjewu, Abuja

    The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, has reiterated China’s dedication to enhancing cooperation with Nigeria in the area of women empowerment.

    Ambassador Yu made this statement on Friday during the 2025 International Women’s Day celebration at the China Cultural Center in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

    He emphasized that the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment,” serves as an opportunity to celebrate the significant achievements of women across political, economic, technological, and cultural domains globally.

    The ambassador praised the contributions of Chinese women to economic and social progress, stating, “Chinese women have truly become the ‘half of the sky,’ making substantial contributions to national development.”

    He noted that since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China 75 years ago, the Chinese government has prioritized gender equality and women’s empowerment, creating a comprehensive legal framework to protect women’s rights that includes over 100 laws and regulations.

    “The average life expectancy of Chinese women has reached nearly 81 years, and the gender gap in education has been largely closed. Women constitute nearly 45% of the total workforce, and in the internet sector, female entrepreneurs outnumber their male counterparts, making up 55% of the total,” Yu said.

    “The remarkable progress China has made in gender equality and women’s development not only reflects China’s unique approach to human rights but also significantly contributes to global equality, development, and peace,” he added.

    Ambassador Yu expressed confidence that more women would benefit from high-quality cooperation between China and Nigeria under the Belt and Road Initiative, enabling them to “realize their aspirations and shape a prosperous future.”

    The envoy stated that China-Nigeria relations have reached new heights following President Bola Tinubu’s visit to China last year and his participation in the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). He acknowledged the vital role women from both countries play in strengthening these ties across various sectors.

    “Over the years, practical cooperation between China and Nigeria has deepened in multiple fields, providing Nigerian women with enhanced medical care, agricultural skills, and increased business opportunities,” he said.

    Also speaking, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, commended Nigerian women for their exceptional achievements on the global stage.

    She listed prominent figures such as Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, and Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, as exemplary representations of Nigerian excellence.

    Represented by the ministry’s permanent secretary, Hon. Oraeluno Obinenye Raphael, the minister expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for its efforts in empowering Nigerian women through capacity-building programs and cultural exchanges. She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to equipping women with the necessary tools and resources to overcome challenges and realize their full potential.

    The event organized by the Chinese Embassy in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, also featured displays of Chinese arts, musical performances, and the presentation of gifts to attendees.

    International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8, drawing attention to critical issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women.

  • IWD: AWTR want more female lawyers to eradicate SBV at grassroots

    IWD: AWTR want more female lawyers to eradicate SBV at grassroots

    … Takes Literacy to FCT grassroots women

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Wives of Traditional Rulers in the FCT under the auspices of the Association of Wives of Traditional Rulers, AWTR, are seeking for more female lawyers for the traditional institution to eradicate Sexual Based Violence, SBV, at the grassroots.

    Speaking at a press briefing on the Association’s Projects titled ” Strengthening of the Traditional Justice System to Combat Gender Discrimination , Early Marriage of Girl- Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. to mark the IWD at the Hakim Dutse , Palace at Dutse Alhaji, Abuja, the FCT AWTR General Secretary, Mrs . Halima Mohammed disclosed this.

    Mohammed said,” We therefore call on the FCT Administration to provide more female lawyers to the traditional institution for. smooth delivery of Justices, as well as to support other initiatives aimed of improving the administration of traditional Justice for indigenous women experiencing sexual and gender-based violence, SBV. “

    Mohammed called on all women at the grassroots who sees or hears about SBV, incidents in their neghbourhood, school or market, to report such to the nearest Chief palace Hotline-09011869941.

    In a continuous effort to empower victims of SBV and the indigenous women in the 17 Chiefdoms in the FCT, AWTR said it is organising empowerment project for the women to enable them. contribute to both community and national developed.

    Mrs. Ifeoma Anozie, Head of Literacy Unit at the Department of Mass Education at Bwari Zonal Office, said that government is partnering with AWTR because of empowerment of women in Literacy and Numeracy. For those who cannot read and write because of factors like early marriage, low finances or other problems.

    “The Department of Mass Education, DMS is here to help for indigenous women to complete their education.”
    They are usually given certificates which is equivalent to first Leaving Primary School Certificate, with this they can gain entrance to Secondary School. We have those who have passed.tjrough us and ate now in the Universities and Polythenic.
    She explained that Mass education is free and it is teacher based for the convenience of the women.
    Meanwhile, the AWTR Programmes Director, Ambassador Hannatu Usman Nga, admonished the women to access the empowerment Projects on Literacy while remaining as good home and bridge builders for the development of their communities.
    .
    Nga recounts the rescue of Twenty – One year old Buhaira Ibrahim who was saved from spousal battering during her forced marriage when she was just 17 years.
    She explained that with the prompt assistance from our legal partner, the Legal Aid Council led by the Director General the case was heard at the Bwari Area Court, in accordance with the Khul on the Quaran, Buhaira was pronounced free of the forced marriage and gender based Violence, GBV.

  • IwD: Nigerian Feminist Forum fights for gender equality in ICT, tasks FG on enabling environment

    IwD: Nigerian Feminist Forum fights for gender equality in ICT, tasks FG on enabling environment

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    As the world celebrates women today on the 2023 International Women’s Day, IWD, the Nigerian Feminist Forum, NFF, has strongly called on the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for women and girls inclusion in the Information, Technology and Communication, ICT, space.

    Referring to the theme of 2023 IWD, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality”, NFF noted that it
    is a reminder that every woman is entitled to equal opportunity and a society free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination in accessing science and technology.

    NFF emphasized that the transformative power of technology offers unique perspectives to solving societal problems and in turn reduces the overall gender pay gap since technology offers higher salaries than most jobs women engage in.
    The Forum lamented that in Nigeria, women and girls are grossly underrepresented in the field of technology, and little attention is paid to the growing digital gap between women and their male counterparts.

    According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 2013,
    over 50% of the world has access to technology, women continue to account for fewer than 20% of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) specialists in developing economies.

    NFF further note that the growing number of cybercafés in major cities has not translated into access to technology for Nigerian women and girls, rather boys and men have more access to use of cafés by freedom of movement and money.

    Other factors such as Cyberbullying, cultural restrictions and stereotypes are inhibiting factors for women’s inability to thrive in the field of technology, majorly due to poverty, cultural bias towards the girl-child education.

    NFF therefore called on the Federal Government to urgently close the gender gap by reviewing the ICT Policy to include women’s right and access to Technology.

    “Close the digital gender gap by ensuring women and girls have equal access to digital technologies, including affordable internet and digital devices.”

    “Use data and technology to address gender inequalities in economic opportunities, including access to education, training, employment, and fair wages.”

    Promote digital literacy and skills development among women and girls, through digital literacy programs and the integration of technology in education, the Forum stated.

  • IWD: NEITI renews call for women participation in Extractive Industry

    IWD: NEITI renews call for women participation in Extractive Industry

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

     As Nigeria marks the 2023 International Women’s Day, IWD, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has renewed its call for a deliberate policy to increase women’s participation in the oil, gas, and mining industries.

    The Executive Secretary, NEITI Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, made this call today in a statement released in Abuja in commemoration and salute Nigerian women of the International Women’s Day.

    Dr Orji expressed regret that despite the enormous potentials and capacity of Nigerian women in skills acquisition, and knowledge in mining and geosciences, the oil gas and mining industries are still being wrongly perceived as business for men.

    The NEITI Executive Secretary boss said, ” A close look at data on gender from the NEITI’s last Solid Minerals Independent Industry Reports shows that out of 102 companies covered by NEITI process, only 29 companies provided information and data on gender participation and employment opportunities in relation to women, adding that the report also. shows that
    out of the 5,820 employees, only 14% of are women.

    According to him, in the Oil and gas industry, the ratio of men to women in terms of investments participation, job opportunities and beneficial ownership of oil and gas assets are even worse.

    The NEITI Executive Secretary, reiterated the Agency’s commitment to work with women and to remove structural barriers that impede women, girls, and other vulnerable groups from participating in sustainable natural resource management and other potential gender impacts of extractive activities.

    Dr. Orji disclosed that NEITI has concluded a scoping research study to enhance gender equity and inclusiveness in managing the country’s diverse extractive sector and the environmental impact on women and their livelihoods. 

    “The study focused on the impact of mining in our communities through the prism of gender inclusivity and impact.”

    “The Research also looked at the employment opportunities, ownership structure and the implications for decision-making and benefit sharing for women in the mining industry.’

    The two reports are to be released before the end of the Month” Dr Orji, further disclosed.

    Meanwhile, the NEITI Executive Secretary while saluting the courage, sacrifice and valued contribution of Nigerian women, urged them to take interest in the NEITI reports and use the contents to demand a just, fair and active gender equity in natural resource governance in Nigeria.

    Dr. Orji said, “Except women are involved and understand the contents of the reports and the values that brings to pushing the boundaries of opportunities in their favour through information and data, they cannot appreciate the need to use information and data in NEITI reports to hold the government, companies and the larger society accountable.”

    Notable allies in the nation’s Extractive sector to drive the process include non-governmental organizations, NGOs such as Women in Extractive, Women in Mining in Nigeria, Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria (APWEN) and the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ among others.
    These are organisations in the sector, driven by reputable Women with track records gathered overtime in the extractive sector reforms and governance.

    Daybreak reports that the International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8 to raise attention o issues like gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

    The Theme for this year’s  International Women’s Day is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”.

  • International Women’s Day2022: President Buhari Extols Nigerian Women

    International Women’s Day2022: President Buhari Extols Nigerian Women

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extolled Nigerian women in celebration of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2022.

    The year’s celebration which is themed Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow is under the hashtag #BreaktheBias.

    In a statement signed on Tuesday by presidential spokesperson Femi Adesina, President Buhari said the celebration is an opportunity to reflect on the vital roles women play in society, homes, governance, the professions, and in all walks of life.

    He added that women are not where they should be yet in different spheres of endeavor, but believes that they can no longer be deprived for too long, as they consistently prove that they can hold their own on all fronts, and in all fields.

    “The President rejoices with women and mothers, around whom the tranquility of homes and society revolves, praying God to grant them peace, joy and satisfaction, as they celebrate today and always,” the statement added.

    He applauded the contributions of women to the current administration as Ministers, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Executive Directors, Executive Secretaries, and many others, noting that they are pulling their weights, and making it impossible for anyone to downplay their essence.