The National Population Commission (NPC) in Oyo State says there is the need to end all forms of discrimination against women and promote equal rights for them.
NPC’s Federal Commissioner in the state, Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, made the call during a media interactive session organised in commemoration of the 2023 World Population Day on Tuesday in Ibadan.
Every July 11 has been designated by the United Nations (UN) under the guidance of the United Nations Funds for Population (UNFPA).
It is a day to draw attention to issues of population and development.
This year’s commemoration is being celebrated under the theme “Unleashing the Power of Gender Equality: Uplifting the Voices of Women and Girls to Unlock Our World’s Infinite Possibilities”.
Oyetunji said the theme was aimed at ensuring that vulnerable population groups, particularly women and girls, have chances to express their rights.
He said they must also have access to make choices in a world of about eight billion people.
“The Day also seeks to inspire and reinvigorate actions that will facilitate and create opportunities to empower women and girls for a secure future for all,” Oyetunji said.
According to him, achieving these objectives would entail securing unlimited access to quality formal education, including training in entrepreneurship for women and girls.
“He was ready to plan and organize access to decent work and employment outside the home and enjoying equal wages at par with their male counterpart so to achieve economic empowerment.
“Involvement in decision-making roles in many aspects of life, including leadership positions, undisruptive access to quality and affordable health care services, including maternity services plus sexual and reproductive health care services.
“We must also ensure that our women and girls have freedom from all forms of discriminatory laws, norms and culture and ensuring the right to reproductive choices for them, “he said.
Also speaking, the Zonal Director, NPC, Mr Abdulkareem Bello, said that women and girls represent almost half of entire population but remain the most vulnerable group often neglected across communities and societies.
Bello noted that there must be a proactive action that would facilitate the sustainable creation and opportunities that would empower women and girls for a secured future.
In her submission, a Consultant, Dr Stella Akinso, called for collective efforts from women groups, lawmakers and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the Gender Bill which had been passed for second reading at the Senate.
Akinso noted that if the bill eventually signed into law, it would motivate women to aspire and reach their full potential.
Commenting, the Zonal Manager, Mr Olawale Alabi charged the women not to sit back and be expecting to receive what they deserve freely. He urged them to rise to the task in order to take their rightful position.
Also, the Assistant Director News, Nigeria Television Authority(NTA), Ibadan, Mrs Dunni Ade-Alao, said that the campaign to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls should be taking to vulnerable women at the grassroots.
Ade-Alao charged traditional, political and religious leaders to use their various platforms to raise awareness of putting an end to all forms of discrimination against women and girls.
The interactive section featured questions and answers on gender issues, cultural presentation and decorations of some 2023 population ambassadors among others.
