Pro women advocates on Thursday enumerated various challenges confronting
the gender, while also listing actions to advance the cause of the gender.
At the 7th edition of Women’s Conference in BusinessDay tagged “Gender
Matters Arising”, the gender advocates highlighted contemporary issues
militating against the craving for gender parity, representation and role
playing. They also highlighted the progress so far achieved by the various
advocacies, while charting way forward for actualization of the true female
potentials.
The advocates joined by the Kebbi State First Lady, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi
Bagudu included the President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin;
Executive Director of Media Concern for Women, Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode;
Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Olajumoke
Oduwole and head of Consumer Banking department of Diamond Bank, Mrs. Aisha
Ahmed among others.
Convener of Business Day Inspiring Woman Series 7, Ms. Kemi Ajumobi while
welcoming all participants to the event disclosed that the annual event is
an offshoot of her enlightening column “Inspiring Woman” which features in
the BusinessDay, showcasing activities and profiles of women who have
played positive roles, affected others positively and contributed to the
development of women in Nigeria.
The WINBIZ chairperson encouraged women to constantly be at the forefront
in the development of the country.
President of Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin stated that whereas,
advocacy for gender parity may suffer cheap defeat of inferiority
occasioned by wanton abuses of the gender are not first resolved. She
asserted there is urgent need to advocate for gender reciprocity. So,
“beside” but not “behind” every woman is a supporting man; vice versa.
She admonished that the smart men who know the value of WOMAN see the
gender beyond sexual uses.
Similarly, other speakers said the gender require more efforts and support
for one another to strengthen the campaign for gender rise and
actualization of the female potentials.