…Say Men, Women Should Have Equal Opportunity
Chairperson of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and that of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Rivers State spoke on this year’s International Women’s Day celebration and appealed that men and women should have equal opportunity.
The chairperson of NLC, Mrs Beatrice Itubo, said in the interview that she believes men and women should be given equal opportunity.
She said there should not be any discrimination and people “should be allowed to attain whatever height” they want to attain.
She said that things should not be done based on sex or ethnic background saying she’s very strong advocate of equality.
The NLC boss said there should be more women holding elective and appointive positions in the country adding that she wants to see a woman President in Nigeria.
She further said that she wants to see more women in House of Representatives and House of Assembly saying there should be women governors, council chairmen and general representation of more women in government.
Itubo however said men have not provided level-playing field for women to engage actively in politics.
On her part, the chairperson of FIDA in Rivers State, Barrister Ngozi Odukwe, said fewer women are involved in decision making in the country compared to their male counterparts.
She said what women get in the country is a “token” given to them by men and added that “the face of poverty bears the face of a woman” meaning women are not financially positioned to get to where men are.
Odukwe said although women have dignity in the country men sometimes treat women in ways not dignifying.
She said some men would not allow women to be heard on topical issues because of their sex.
The FIDA chairperson said that the group defends the interests of women and children especially the girl child and vulnerable saying it advocates for their rights.
She appealed to government to work with the United Nations, Non-Governmental Organizations and families to uphold interests of women and commended the governor of Rivers State for being considerate in appointments for women.
Also speaking on World Women’s Day, Joy Jeremiah, a trader said that women were yet to have equal rights as their male counterparts.
She however said women were happy celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day.
On her part, Prudence Wokoma, a media practitioner said that there is equality between men and women in Nigeria and the rest of the world.
A civil servant, Beauty Osuosa, however said it’s not true there is equality between men and women in Nigeria.
The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day was “I Am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Right”.
World Women’s Day is celebrated every year around the world on 8 March.
