Cross River, LAPO celebrate International Women Day

Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs has launched Gender Strategic Plan to commemorate 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD). The plan was launched during the IWD celebration, yesterday, March 7, a day set aside by United Nations (UN) to celebrate women across the world.

Representing the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Prof. Gertrude Njar, the Permanent Secretary, of the ministry, Dr. Alice Egbe, said the ministry, with support from partners, decided to launch the plan on women day. 

Egbe, who prayed for the quick release of the Commissioner from kidnappers, said this year’s theme: “Digital Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality” is aimed at celebrating the contribution of women and girls in technology and online education.

“It is with mixed feeling that I present my address to you on behalf of my boss, Commissioner for Women Affairs. I am not happy that she is here.

“However, I am happy that we are celebrating women and girls today all over the world. It is our prayer that God will bring her out very soon in good health,” she prayed.

The Chief of Party, Centre for Clinical Care and Clinical Research (CCCCR), Adekoya Peters, who was represented by the state Programme Manager, Dr. Grace Essien, said the journey towards launching the strategy plan started in 2021, with support from Women’s Aids Collective (WACOL) and that CCCCR took over in 2022, while CUSO International decided to complete  the project.

Essien, who spoke with The Guardian shortly after the ceremony, explained that IWD was chosen to launch the plan because this year’s theme centred on gender equality.

ALSO to mark the day, the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), yesterday, celebrated women’s contributions to societal development, with special recognition for women, who have excelled in business, farming, and professional careers with sustainable social impact.

The Outstanding Women Leadership Award was organised by LAPO to commemorate IWD, it witnessed a cross section of women from business, farming and professional world. Among other honours, LAPO Lifetime Achievements Award was conferred on Mrs Elizabeth Ehigiamusoe, wife of LAPO Founder/CEO.

In a lecture titled, “Embracing Equity: Isuess and Way Forward”, the Director of Gender Institute, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Adefunke Adekunle, stressed the need for equality to enhance women development.

She stated that government and society must ensure redistribution of resources to enhance women development, adding: “You do not really need to be very rich to ensure the redistribution of resources.”

In his remarks, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LAPO, Dr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe, said LAPO Outstanding Women Leadership Award(LOWLA) was instituted in 2013 to recognise and honour women, who have excelled and distinguished themselves in their business, farming and professional careers with sustainable social impact.