The Kwara State Government says women deserve patronage and support to be their best.
The Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq made this known today at the north-central zonal meeting of the 65th United Nations commission on women’s status in Nigeria, held at the State Banquet Hall, Ilorin.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, described the theme of the meeting as timely and appropriate as it will assist women in evolving workable strategies to eliminate violence, gender inequality as well as promote women/ girls empowerment and inclusion in the decision-making process.
AbdulRazaq added that the Kwara State Government had prioritised policies targeted at bridging the gender inequality gap and eliminating poverty.
He said the administration is one of the few in the country that has fulfilled the 35 per cent female gender representation in government.
The government, therefore, called on philanthropists, public-spirited individuals and non-governmental organisations to support this cause through decisive interventions to support of women.
Also speaking, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, lauded the Kwara State Government for its leading role in women inclusiveness in governance and being the first to host the 65th Commission on Women’s Status in Nigeria.
She described the Commission on the Status of Women as a United Nations entity mandated to take a leading role in the monitoring and reviewing progress and problems in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and in mainstreaming gender perspectives in UN activities.
In her remarks, the First Lady of Kwara State, Ambassador Dr Olufolake AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Afusat Ibrahim, charged women to be up and doing in waging war against any form of violence against women and also the complete eradication of poverty.
The country representative to United Nations Women Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Comfort Lamptey, represented by the National Programme Officer, Mrs Patience Ekeoba, in her goodwill message praised the Kwara State Government for setting the pace for others.
