Sanwo-Olu urges gender equality at HeForShe campaign launch

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged men to support women and be agents of change by taking action against all negative stereotypes and behaviours.

Sanwo-Olu, who spoke yesterday in Lagos at the launch of the campaign initiated by the United Nations (UN) in 2014 and his recognition as the global champion for gender equality, stressed that women have dominated the world’s population and that it would be needless to disenfranchise a total half or more of the population.
 
He said the society could not solve problems with just half of its population, hence the call on men to sign up to the initiative, as the society needs to harness the potential of women to realise true development.

According to him: “It is unimaginable to think of a world without women. We must ensure that in any participation in life, women are not behind us but beside us all of the time. It is therefore necessary we accord them their right place in the scheme of things. It is important that we eschew all forms of violence against women. Women are not out to take over but are only asking for more space to operate and support the men.

“It is when they have equal strength with us that a lot can be done. In Lagos State, we are committed to reflecting the other half of us. Today, we join other countries to sign up to this HeforShe campaign.”

However, representative of the United Nations (UN) Women Nigeria and ECOWAS, Comfort Lamptey, represented by United Nations Women Deputy Country Representative to Nigeria, Mr. Lansana Wonne, said the move by Lagos State government was a clear demonstration of its commitment in promoting empowerment of women.