…As women groups celebrate in Abuja
BY BENEDICT NWACHUKWU, ABUJA
Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, has called on all Nigerians to join hands together to promote gender equality in the country.
Tallen made the call at the 5th edition of Generation Equality International Football tournament organised by Fame Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, as part of activities to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).
The Minister, while performing the event’s kick-off at the Area 3 playground in Abuja, said women should be given opportunities as policy makers.
“God did not make a mistake in creating a woman. He didn’t create a woman to be trampled upon.
“He created women to be a help-mate, a partner in progress, so we are calling on Nigerian men and everyone to join hands together and move the issue of women forward,’’ she said.
The former deputy governor of Plateau State also called on Nigerian women to continue to strive while bemoaning the Gender Equality bill that was turned down by the National Assembly last week.
“I pray that this year’s IWD will be better than the previous years, even though we had setback as the Gender Equality bill was rejected by the National Assembly.
“We are not giving up; we will continue to push until we change the mindset of people and improve the participation of women in politics and beyond,’’ Tallen added.
In a related development, United Nations Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Comfort Lamptey, who was present at the event, said sports and football in particular, is a tool to advocate for gender equality.
“It is important to use football as a mechanism to show how women can come together and push gender equality.
“March 8 is a day we celebrate women and today we are doing that through this football match.
“We will also take stock of the work that needs to be done and we know that in Nigeria our work is not done yet.
“Also, for the benefit of these young women who are participating in this competition, I think it is very important that we put in place measures, so that all Nigerian can raise their full potentials.
“This is a message we are communicating through this football match today,’’ Lamptey added.
On her part, the Executive Director of Fame Foundation, Aderonke Bello, said sports is a unifying tool that brings Nigerians together inrespective of our different culture and backgrounds.
“Nigeria is heterogeneous in nature. We have our diversity in terms of religion, tribe, geo-political zone and more.
“The only thing that brings us together is sports especially football.
“That is why we are using this unifying factor as a tool for social change to preach against gender inequality, gender based violence and call for gender equity,’’ Bello said.
Meanwhile a total of 10 teams featured in this year’s edition of the event. Team UN, USA, NCWS, UK and Iya Loja participated.
Others are Team NAWOJ/ FCT SWAN, FAME/AMAC, BREKETE Family and EU.
The IWD is celebrated globally on March 8 with “BreakThe Bias’’ as the theme of this year’s edition.
