The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Akwa Ibom State Council has urged women to make deliberate efforts to fulfil their potential without fear or intimidation.
The state Chairperson of NAWOJ, Nsikak Okon made the call on Tuesday in an event to commemorate the 2024 International Women’s Day at the NUJ press centre, Uyo Akwa Ibom State capital.
Okon urged women to take concrete steps to advance gender equality in their communities, workplaces and societies urging them to challenge harmful stereotypes and norms that limit them from seeking equality.
The NAWOJ boss noted that the union having known some of the barriers women face in achieving their goals created opportunities to train members, empower multiple birth mothers, mentor secondary school girls, carry out enlightenment programmes in the markets, churches and went into partnership with several groups to fight violence against women and the girl child.
She also described investment in women as a powerful development tool even as she lauded the wife of the governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno for using her pet project, GIFA, to ensure that women take centre stage in the scheme of things.
“As we stand on the threshold of a new era, let us reaffirm our commitment to gender equality and women’s rights. Let us strive for a world where every woman and girl has the opportunity to fulfil her potential.
“We must ensure equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities and political participation for women everywhere.” She added.
The Keynote Speaker, Nene Afia in her address entitled, “Inspire Inclusion”, said, to achieve inclusion and equality, it requires individual and collective efforts of women to break barriers, eschew unhealthy competition and unite in supporting one another to succeed.
Afia said the celebration was a wakeup call for women to collaborate and be actively involved in their field of endeavours, regretting that no woman is in the 13 seats of the National Assembly even as she noted that among the 26 lawmakers in the state, only four are women which according to her translates to paltry 15%.
“This celebration is a wake-up call. Akwa Ibom State has 13 seats in the National Assembly, how many women did we open the door for? None. With 26 members in the State House of Assembly, we voted for just four women to represent our interests. Our Governor, inspired by that number that we consciously sent to the house, also appointed four women, the same number, to the State Executive council. Sisters, that is about 15%, a far cry as compared to our numerical strength in society. This speaks to the fact that a lot still needs to be done. And that is beyond talks, we need collaborative action.” She added.
The NUJ Chairman, Comrade Amos Etuk in his remarks described women Journalists in the Council as hardworking and stressed the need to incorporate women into strategic and key leadership in the State and Country as they can deliver effectively.
He pledged to continually assign women Journalists outstanding and strategic roles under his leadership as the Chairman of NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council.