International Women’s Day: FG urged to Close Gap in Male Dominated Profession

International Women’s Day: FG urged to Close Gap in Male Dominated Professional
As the country joins the rest of world to commemorate a day set aside to celebrate women all over the world. The Centre under the sterling leadership of the Director-General, Barrister Mary Ekpere-Eta has boldly stated that the 2020 Theme: ”I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights and Social Justice”, is very apt.
She disclosed this today at the Intergenerational Dialogue in commemoration of the 2020 International Women’s Day at the auditorium in the Centre ahead of the celebration on Sunday 8th of March.
Welcoming the Honorable Minister for Women Affairs and Social Development, Her Excellency, Dame Pauline Tallen and other dignitaries such as the United Nations System, European Union, British Council, Mercy Corps, ROLAC to the intergenerational Dialogue. The Director-General said that she was pleased with them for steering the wheel at this critical point in the history of Nigerian Women and girls in reviewing how far the country has progressed since the Beijing conference 25 years ago and to galvanized an agenda to pursue the attainment of gender equality and parity in Nigeria.
“I am hopeful that our deliberation during this intergenerational dialogue will be robust, fruitful, impacting and will enhance the advancement of gender equality in the next decade and the attainment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Nigeria”, she affirmed.
NCWD Boss enjoins all to ensure that no one is left out until gender equality is attained in provision of skilled workforce in the construction industries in Nigeria. In her words, “the National Centre for Women Development tomorrow will be graduating 106 women and girls with Trade Test 1 and 11 Certification in Plumbing &Pipe fitting; Plant &Generator mechanics; Tilling &Masonry; Refrigerator &Air conditioning Repairs, and Plaster of Paris(POP)”.
The honorable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen in her address disclosed that expectations were very high to showcase Nigeria at the historic outing with delegates working tirelessly to put last minutes finishing touches to arrangements.
She stated that with this global threat of corona virus, which has claimed many lives and is still raging with no cure in sight for now. The CSW64 Session has been scaled down to a one day event.
Dame Tallen said that while we await more updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “I want to commend the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian women; she is innovative and very resourceful. she is able to see opportunities in disappointments; she is forward looking. She represents the hope therefore, standing on these qualities, let me assure you all that at the National level, all hope is not lost as we will organize and mobilize for our own mini-CSW event. We will invite stakeholders to give an account of their activities, since the 25 years of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and platform”, she asserted.
Speaking during the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ifeoma Nkiruka Anagbogu applauded the 2020 International Women’s day Theme for the event which encapsulates the struggle of women through-out the world.
She stated that the occasion gives the requisite platform for stock taking on the journey so far for Nigerian women’s rights, empowerments and social justice. In her words, “the occasion is to re-strategize and re –focus attention on the burning issues as well as finding windows of opportunities for gender equality and women empowerment”, she asserted.

Judith Ogbogu
Head: Press and Public Relations Unit