The Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu, said that the role of women in the society are indispensable. Mrs. Ikpeazu, stated this on the occasion of the 2022, International Women Day Celebration in Abia which took place at the women development centre Umuahia, with the theme ‘Break the Bias’.
According to the Governor’s wife, “we are celebrating this year event with mixed feelings of joy and disappointment despite the enormous contributions we have made to improve our families, communities and societies, we are disappointed at the National Assembly for falling to rise to the occasion and write its name in gold by not passing the Pro- Women bill last week, but we are not deterred, we will continue to negotiate with dialogue and advocacy to press home our demands for fairer treatment”, she said.
However, against this backdrop of traditional stereotypes, in Abia, we are leading efforts to instigate change positively to break the bias.
Also as First Lady of Abia, l have committed some energy to end gender based violence especially violence against women and the girl child.
Mrs. Ikpeazu, also said that Abia is domesticating the violence against persons prohibition act law(Vapp law) and currently interfacing with the State House of Assembly on passing the obnoxious widowhood practices bill, the equal opportunity bill and a review of the child rights law all geared toward a better society for all persons.
In her speech, the guest lecturer, Dr. Carol Iwuoha, said 80, percent of women are unable to take decisions concerning their health, the reason why there is high mortality rate among women.
Carol, said it is time women give their health priority as a healthy woman is an asset to the family and the society.
Contributing, a former Director of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Orieji Uka said that work still need to be done to achieve gender equality in Nigeria because a lot of factors like religion, politics and traditions are militating against gender equality in the country.
According to her, “empowering women will help close the gender disparity gap”, she said.
In their good will messages, the commissioner for women affairs and social strategy. Mrs. Rose Nnanta Ure, and Abia President of the National Council for Women Society, Lady Eunice Nwigwe, commended the Abia First Lady for bringing women together to celebrate the International day of women.
