WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY: EBONYI WOMEN DEMAND MORE OPPORTUNITIES

REPORTER: CHINELO OKORO

The continuous struggle for women participation and equality in all spheres of life and society is celebrated on 26th of August annually as the Women’s Equality Day.

As Nigeria joins other countries of the world to commemorate the passage of women’s suffrage in the US, which reminds them of the hurdles passed by the heroic women, who faced violence and discrimination to propel the women’s movement, some activists in Ebonyi State have called for fair treatment and equal rights for both genders to enhance economic development.

On August 26 1920, the 29th amendment was certified as part of the United States Constitution, assuring that the right of citizens of the country to vote shall not be denied or abridged by any state in US on account of sex.

Research indicates that since then, in virtually every sector of their society, women are making important contributions to quality of American Life.

This is in line with the UN’s Global Goal 5, which calls for gender equality as an essential goal in the mission to end extreme poverty and it’s systematic causes.

However in Nigeria, experiences have shown that women are not guaranteed rights to equal opportunities to employment, inheritance, education and property ownership.

This was demonstrated on December 25, 2021 when the Nigerian Senate trashed out the Gender and Equal Opportunities (GCO) Bill, which was designed to secure the rights of women and girls in the country for opportunities equal to their male counterparts for a second time.

An advocate of women in Ebonyi State and wife of the Methodist Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese, Nneoma Josephine Elom, agues that “whatever a man can do, a woman can do it better,” and describes women as the strong pillar that holds every aspect of the society, hence the need for equality with their male folks.

The founder, Ebonyi Women Traders Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Rosemary Nwakaego-Emmanuel, condemned the high level of marginalization against women in Nigeria.

Mrs. Nwakaego-Emmanuel, however, enjoined women not to be discouraged by any form of violence they might face.

A former Minister of State for Power and steal, Chief Goddy Ogbaga whose wife had gone to the Federal House of Representatives, said he derived joy to support women to enjoy liberty to express themselves and called on men to join in the fight again women marginalization.

When contacted, the commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Chinwe Okah claimed that Ebonyi Women were often given reasonable quoter, especially in political positions.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU