BY AMUCHE AGBO
As the world marked the 2022 International Women's Day (IWD), the Wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Mrs Rachel Umahi has advocated for equal treatment of women and men, especially in Nigeria's political activities and governance.
Mrs Umahi who spoke on Tuesday during the commemoration of the 2022 International Women's day with the theme gender bias in Abakaliki, said gender equality in governance becomes imperative because the female folks can competitively handle every political position in the country.
She commended Ebonyi Women for being supportive of her administration and tasked them to be law-abiding citizens while advocating for love and peaceful co-existence among themselves to tackle their overall interest.
She also thanked the State Governor Engr. David Umahi for the inclusiveness of women in his administration, describing him as a gender-friendly Governor and assured the female folks that her office would continue to intervene in their affairs when the need arises.
The Governor's Wife also encouraged the women to shun practising all forms of female genital mutilation and other social vices that could endanger their lives but campaigned against them as her office would deal decisively with the offenders.
Also at the event, Governor David Umahi represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kenneth Ugbala described women as an indispensable gender in achieving and sustaining a stable, peaceful and productive society across the nation.
Governor Umahi called up the National and State Assembly legislatures to expedite actions on enabling laws geared towards deliberation of women's rights in the society as it would encourage the female folks to put in their best in the nation's building
He expressed satisfaction on the level his wife has been fighting FGM, violence against women and children and the protection of the poor and less privileged ones in the society, saying her efforts have gained the state, both national and international recognitions.
He encouraged the women to remain steadfast and continue to rally around his wife and the Ebonyi State government while expressing his avowed commitment towards championing the course of the women.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development Mrs Deborah Chinwe Okah applauded Mrs Umahi for demonstrating her commitment and dedication in the matters concerning women and children in the State.
She observed that the Governor's Wife had championed the domestication, enforcement and implementation of Ebonyi State Vapp-law in the State and urged Ebonyi Women to rise and say no to stereotype inequality and discrimination.
The chairman of the event, Princess Frances Mgbada described the celebration of Women's day as very timely, adding that the day can never be forgotten. He advised the Women to always give their children a qualitative education at home for economic emancipation.
The guest speaker Professor Joy Ezilo called on Government at all levels to mainstream Women in governance while congratulating the Ebonyi State Government ably by Engr. David Umahi for taking positive steps in ensuring quality representation of Women in his administration
In their goodwill messages, the commissioner for culture and tourism Brr Elizabeth Ogbaga and the chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga among others, lauded Her Excellency's support to Ebonyi Women, assuring that the entire Women in the State would continue giving her their support.
