Panelists call for men’s support in fight for gender equality

Equality

By Busayo Onijala

Lagos, March 5, 2020 (NAN) Some panelists on Thursday called on men to be actively involved in the fight for gender equality, saying its benefit is not for girls and women alone, but everyone.

They made the call while speaking on the theme: “I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights”, at an inter-generational dialogue in commemoration of the 2020 International Women’s Day (IWD).

It was hosted by the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN) in partnership with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IWD is marked on March 8 every year, with series of activities, including seminars, panel discussions, among others, before the main day.

IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and it also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

On the panel was Mrs Ada Agina-Ude, Executive Director of Gender and Development Action (GADA), an NGO that advocates women’s rights, social justice and sustainable development in Nigeria.

Agina-Ude said that young people need to understand that no gender was superior to the other.

“The same way we train our girls is how we should train our boys to support the women around them, because equality begins at home.

“The home is not a place where man will cross his legs and read the headlines.

“It should be a place where everyone takes responsibility and where young boys are taught to respect women,” she said.

According to her, all forms of violence against women can be reduced to the barest minimum with the help of the government.

“Abuse, whether physical or emotional, is never the fault of the receiver.

“The government needs to set up stronger frameworks to identify and punish offenders.

“I am particularly happy because Lagos State has been doing a lot on working against domestic violence,” Agina-Ude said.

Also, Abimbola Ajala, Founder of an NGO, Lend a Hand for the Development of Africa, said that the goal was not to compete with men, but to thrive in any space she found herself.

Ajala said that for men to successfully support gender equality, they need to understand the purpose of such advocacy.

“When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable.

“We need to focus on educating the male child to know that supporting women is a necessity,” she said.

Meanwhile, Patricia Idiakhoa, President, Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WACCIMA), said that it was important for girl-child to be educated.

“Women need to be visible in all sectors and they need formal education for this, because it helps bridge the gaps in the society.

“There is also the need to balance work and family, one should not suffer for the other,” she said. (NAN)

OMB/GOK

Edited by Olagoke Olatoye