By Grâçia Obi
Delta State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, Hon. Princess Pat Ajudua has urged all stakeholders to support women to continue in the fight for a gender equality through economic empowerment.
The Women Commissioner made this statement in her opening remarks as she marked the International Women’s Day celebrations with the theme ‘Count her in: Accelerating Gender Equality through Economic Empowerment’ held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
Ajudua speaking on the theme, calling for action to support programmes to drive women’s inclusion and leadership in economies, digital technologies, peacebuilding and climate action.
The Commissioner said that women’s economic empowerment reduces gender-based violence, increases political and social participation and leadership and facilitates disaster risk reduction.
The wife of the deputy speaker delta state house of Assembly Hon Barri mrs Author Akpowowoh who represented the Wife of the Governor of Delta State, Tobore Oborevwori said
While increasing women’s share of assets and finance is vital for their economic empowerment, equally important is building institutions that promote public investment in social goods and sustainable development.
Aknowledging the intrinsic value of women’s economic empowerment, which has human rights at its core, it is also important to account for the great costs of constraints on women’s economic empowerment on societies and economies, Mrs Oborevwori stated.
Senior Special Assistant on Women Mobilization to Governor of Delta State Hon. Mimi 1 added that when women thrive in the world of work, they are better positioned to exercise their agency and realize their rights, but not just any job will do.
“Work must be productive and in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity”, she said.
At the current rate of investment, more than 340 million women and girls will still live in extreme poverty by 2030, according to UN as stakeholders look at what women needs to be done to improve the economic situation of women around the world.
