By Amos Aar
A COALITION of women rights civil society has called for equity and gender equality in the country.
The coalition, which include Mother of Faith Foundation, Action Group Against Gender Based Violence, Zero Tolerance for Gender Based Violence amongst others made the call Thursday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, during the celebration of the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2023 on the theme: “Digital Innovation & Technology for Gender Equality”.
Organiser of the event, Barr Awashima Addingi, in a welcome address stressed the need for women to spare time once in a while to celebrate themselves and relieve the burden they bear in caring for the world. She advised that as women celebrated their annual day, they should make themselves strong, worthy and useful in the society.
Speaking on Breast cancer awareness, Head of Clinical Psychology, Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Dr Ngosoo Chia, enlightened the women on self-examination for early detection and treatment of the disease.
Dr Chia identified radiation from electrical gadgets, modern cooking methods using electrical appliances, lifestyle of using air-conditioned houses, cars and offices among others as risk factors for contracting breast cancer and urged women to always take precaution.
Presenting an overview of the International Women’s Day, member, Mother of Faith Foundation and the Information Officer of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs Erdoo Sar, encouraged the women to sustain their fight for gender equality in the interest of the women folk and the girl child.
Mrs Sar who noted that women were running ahead of men in their respective companies said the world was also moving towards gender balance and equality. She lamented that many women are lagging behind in digital technology and advised them to be engaged in it so as to match up with whatever they do in the society.
Mrs Sar explained that although the IWD which is an annual event celebrated all over the world took place on March 8, 2023, Mother of Faith foundation brought the women together on the 9th of the month to perform activities marking the day.
Barr Ihechi Olarenwaju, Secretary, Association Against Gender Based Violence, Benue State Chapter, in her presentation on Gender Based Violence, said women should speak for each other and report gender-based violence issues so that justice will be granted them and to prevent recurrence.
As a proactive major against GBV, Dr Beatrice Onojah, a Self-defense instructor, told women to adopt self defense which according to her is not all about physical fight but prevention as well. She said women should defend themselves using their voice, body and mind.
Other Speakers at the occasion including Barr Hembafan Utange from Mother of Faith foundation, Mrs Zainab Ali of Sweet Mothers among others, encouraged women to get involved in digital technology and avoid immoral habits on social media like advertisement of their bodies but learn to create contents that will contribute to the development of the society.
The speakers who noted that digital age is for everybody tasked women to change the narrative by advising their daughters to use the internet with utmost regard for morality and integrity.
