The Nigerian Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Fallen has called on women to remain resilient, strong and ‘step it up’ for gender equality by moving from rhetoric to action.
She stated this at Media Briefing to the flag off activities for the year 2022 International Women’s Day celebration in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to her, this year’s theme ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow,’ highlights the contributions of women and girls around the world, who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation, and response, to build a sustainable future for all.
The Minister added that the theme aligns with the priority theme for the upcoming 66th Session Commission on the Status of Women: ‘Achieving Gender Equality and the Empowerment of all Women and Girls in the context of Climate Change, Environmental and Disaster Risk Reduction Policies and Programmes.’
She noted that while adopting the global theme, the Ministry will also “address Women in Leadership and Governance; Women and the Environment and Inclusion for women with disabilities.
“To ensure that we truly succeed in our advocacy, we must adopt a rights-based, gender-sensitive approach to food security and agro-biodiversity for the purpose of achieving equitable access to land, resources, assets and institutions towards equitable benefits.“
Mrs. Tallen said the need for a strategic Women’s movement which can harness previous efforts and galvanize action towards spearheading a new agenda for Nigerian women, towards our quest for women’s political participation is critical now.
“In a few weeks, we will flag off a National Women’s Movement under the name Women Reconnect For New Nigeria Initiative, proposed as a social mobilization and sensitization movement to galvanize women to participate fully and equitably in the processes leading up to the 2023 general elections and beyond.“
The United Nation Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Comfort Lamptey, said achieving gender equality and sustainable development in context of climate change enhance more sustainable future for all.
She pledges UN Women support to continue to amplify the message that “it is not too late to invest in climate action by and for women, to empower woman entrepreneurs and decision makers to give voice and power to the next generation of Earth champions and to demand commitments to build an equal and enduring future for all.“
As part of activities planned to commemorate the 2022, the Ministry, in collaboration with critical stakeholders will carry out Tree Planting Exercise on 4th March, 2022, Sunday Service on 6th March, 2022 in churches and National Women’s Dialogue on Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection including Arts Exhibition on Women and Climate Change and Leadership on 8th March, 2022.
The Ministry later launched the National Communication Strategy on Ending All Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls in Nigeria.
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