Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Thursday in Abuja gave the assurance that the Federal Government would continue to constructively engage women in nation building.
Sambo gave the assurance at the National Women Rally for Peace with a theme Celebration of Nigeria Women for Peace and Empowerment, held at the Parade Ground.
“We are aware of the need to carry women along in nation building and to uphold and identify with their plights,’’ he said.
“In the light of the foregoing, we have supported women’s active participation in politics, the establishment of women’s political trust fund and an increase in women representation in governance.’’
He said President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration had trained more than 9,000 women in various skills through the Women Development Centre, adding that “the SURE-P targets more than 5,000 women and children annually’’.
He said other interventions included the implementation of the national and international policies and treaties, as well as conventions and protocols such as the Child Rights Act, Gender Policy, Convention and Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
According to him, Nigeria is a signatory to many treaties and protocols on women and women issues because women’s participation in governance is important to nation building.
The First Lady, Patience Jonathan, said the day was set aside to celebrate women across the country who in one way or the other had contributed to the development and empowerment of women.
“We also want to sue for peace as this gathering re-affirms our vital role in our homes, communities and the nation. We are known for keeping the family unit and we mediate in conflicts arising in the home.
“Studies show that women prefer unity to disunity, order to disorder and development to under-development.
“We need collective efforts as one person cannot bring about peace; age shouldn’t be a limitation to achieving the desired peace. We must do this for our children and generation yet unborn,’’ she said.
She expressed gratitude to the government for empowering women, and urged lawmakers to ensure speedy passage of Affirmative Action Bill that seeks 35 per cent female representation in appointive and elective positions.
She urged Nigerian women to continue to love, celebrate, forgive and encourage one another in every situation “because where we are today is as a result of long years of patience and determination’’.
The wife of the vice-president, Hajiya Amina Sambo, in her address, said it was proper to “celebrate the struggles, sacrifices and resilience of Nigerian women at a “rally such as this’’.
Dignitaries at the rally included the first ladies of Belize, Mrs Kim Simplis; South Africa, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma and Saharawi Peoples Republic, Prof. Khadija Hamdi.
Governors’ wives, female ministers, female lawmakers, wives of ambassadors, service chiefs and female captains of industries among various women groups that attended the event.
