IWD 2022: Fintiri assures gender equality for sustainable devt.

Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri has assured the state government’s commitment to gender equality for sustainable development.

He gave the assurance in Yola on Tuesday at the commemoration of the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IWD is annually marked on March 8 around the globe to bring to the fore, issues that affect women and girls, with a view to finding solutions to the problems.

The campaign, which has “Gender Equality Today For A Sustainable Tomorrow”, has “BreakTheBias” as hashtag.

Represented by the Head of Service, Dr Edgar Amos, Fintiri said that the state government was committed to implementing policies and legislations that would empower and protect the rights of women.

He added that “as a government that is gender-sensitive, we are committed to implementing policies and legislations that will empower and protect women in homes, places of work, communities and the state as a whole.

“I, therefore, admonish traditional and religious leaders, leaders of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, executives of businesses, the media and women to join hands with government to ensure equal gender participation for sustainable development of our dear state.”

He urged all to see women as equal partners in nation-building.

According to him, women bring communities together; women lead efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and women can drive reconciliation and ensure long-lasting peace.

In her remarks, Ulla Mueller, UNFPA Country Representative, urged the state government to gazette the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law and ensure its funding for succesful implementation.

She called for speedy passage and signing of the Child Protection Bill into law.

She said “clear responsibilities and roles need to be charted out, institutions need to strengthen the people on the need to be aware of the law and areas where they can report and receive help and support.”

Lami Fintiri, wife of the state governor, described the theme of this year’s cerebration as “timely for a sustainable tomorrow.”

Represented by the Commissioner of Commerce, Mr Justina Nkon, the governor’s wife commended UNFPA and urged women to join hands to ensure increased development.