ICCN, NNEW seek gender equality, empowerment for women

The International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria (ICCN) and NECA’S Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) have called for more involvement of women in all strata of the nation’s economy as well as within the decision-making bodies of government at various levels.

Besides, the groups also seek more women empowerment and gender equality to ensure inclusive and quality education for all.To ensure that its views are not taken with kid’s gloves the organizations said this year worldwide International Women’s Day, which is slated for March 8 will critically address the issue and other similar ones affecting women.

Besides, it said this year’s theme: “Be bold for change” was informed by the need to encourage women to rise up to leadership challenges among other critical roles where women have not been adequately represented.

Speaking in Lagos, NNEW President, Oyekunle Modupe, said the idea of the theme is to consider how to accelerate the 2030 agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new sustainable development goals, especially to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

She added: “It will also ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning and on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights.

“The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity, a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities.”

Given the strategic importance of the theme for this year celebration, she hinted that the keynote speaker Mrs Dorothy Ufot (SAN) and plenary session speakers that include Dr (Mrs) Omolara Akanji, Mrs Amina Zanna Ibrahim, Hon (Mrs) Doyin Ogunbiyi were carefully selected in recognition of their wealth of experience in various sectors of the economy. The event will also reflect the world of work, which is changing, and with significant implications for women.

She added: “On one hand, we have globalization, technological and digital revolution and the opportunities they bring, and on the other hand, the growing informality of labour, unstable livelihoods and incomes, new fiscal and trade policies and environmental impacts all of which must be addressed in the context of women’s economic empowerment.”

International Labour Organisation, Unity Bank Plc., Vlisco Nigeria, PZ Cusson and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) are sponsoring the event.