Written by Ibrahim I Nassir. Head, Press and Public Relations Unit. 8/3/2022

The Director-General of National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Hon Dr. AsabeVilita Bashir has demanded for gender equal world for Nigerian women as the Centre joins the rest of the world to celebrate the 2022 international women’s day. This commemoration is being observed once annually and the theme for this 2022 celebration isGENDER EQUALITY TODAY FOR SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW.

Delivering her vote of thanks today, at the 2022 international women’s day commemoration in the Centre’s auditorium, the Director-General expressed her sincere appreciation to every Nigerian women/men (HE4SHEs) for standing with the Nigerian women at this critical time of our nation building to fight patriarchy, gender biases and other negative vices such as the recent none passage of the gender friendly bill at the National Assembly.

Appreciating in a special way the minister of women affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen for her exemplary leadership and commitment in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Nigeria, the NCWD boss also noted the contributions of the Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Egnr.FunshoAdebiyi, a true He4She for his consistent doggedness in breaking gender biases and barriers in Nigeria.

Dr. Bashir expressed her gratitude to the state commissioners of women affairs and others online for responding positively to the call to improve the lot of Nigerian women in their respective states. Speaking further, “As partners in progress we urge you to continue the sensitization and mobilization of opinion leaders in the communities to support the activities that promotes the removal of gender biases and protection of the environment,” she charges.

Delivering her keynote address, the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen (OFR, KSG) reiterated the urgency to do the needful in making the difference in the lives of Nigerian women/girls for the good and development of our country, Nigeria especially the proper implementation of Violence against PersonsActs(VAPP).

Speaking further, the Minister stated that a gender equal world is a collective efforts of all Nigerians. She therefore, called for a conscious efforts to give the Nigerian women their pride of place. According to her, “Any country that neglects the teeming population of women will not progress, “she stated.

Finally, this year’s international women’s day commemoration was graced by the Deputy Governor Ogun state, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and other very important dignitaries.