Otu Assures UN Women Of Synergy In Tackling SGBV, Inequality
By Ekanem Asuquo
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has reiterated his administration's readiness for effective collaboration with the UN Women in tackling sexual and gender-based violence as well as other numerous harmful cultural practices targeted against women.
He maintained that such a posture is inevitable in expressing the commitment of his administration toward addressing issues hindering women from optimizing their potential as well as in entrenching a more gender-equitable society with equal opportunity for everyone irrespective of gender.
Senator Otu stated this in his address at the UN Women and Partners 'Open Day Event’ held in Calabar, South-South, Nigeria over the weekend.
He posited that "any culture that is repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience can not be tolerated in our state and therefore must be abolished."
Represented at the event by his Special Adviser on General Duties, Akiba Ekpenyong, Esq, the Governor opined that" the issue of gender equality is not merely a feminist agenda, but a fundamental human right concern, which demands that we must all come together to ensure that women are given equal opportunities to hold leadership positions and contribute their quota to state and national development."
"In Cross River state today, UN Women and partners are driving serious advocacy for women, emancipation, education, empowerment, political liberation, and inclusion. I am so happy that UN Women and Partners' interventions are shaping modern-day cultures. I congratulate the UN Women for traversing the difficult terrains of Cross River state and breaking women free from the shackles of traditional and cultural stereotypes and practices and aligning them to modernity.
"When the women are empowered, every other sector will be empowered. And the example is very evident in Cross River state because we have very active women in politics holding top leadership positions in government. The Commissioners for Sports Development, Humanitarian Affairs, Housing Development, Social Welfare, and Establishment, Training and Pensions, Clerk of the House of Assembly, and several other appointees are women. Our administration is very intentional about empowering women to bring the desired impact to the state and country," Otu averred
He intimated the UN Women and partners of the pet project, Humanity Without Borders, floated by his wife, Rev. Mrs Eyoawan Otu focused on championing and addressing humanitarian cases throughout the state, ranging from child's rights, women empowerment, orientation, and capacity building across the state and country.
While applauding the UN Women and partners for for durable strides in Cross River, and hinted that women would be accorded their due opportunity to contest in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
Otu promised to ensure that Cross River remains a role model in the comity of Nigerian states about deliberate efforts toward the entrenchment of a gender-balanced society.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Beatrice Eyong, Country Representative to UN Women Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the event was meant to provide a zonal coordination mechanism for participants from the six states of the south-south ample time for interaction, collaboration to promote coherence, accountability, and sustainability for the region.
"We have also had a sensitization on Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting for principal officers of the south-south coordination mechanism made up of principal officer of the state’s ministries of women affairs, the networks, and coalitions to increase appreciation for deliberate gender responsible planning and budgeting that address the needs of women, men, boys, and girls," she posited.
The UN Women representative stated that the ‘Open Day’ was a new initiative by UN Women and her partners, aimed at showcasing the activities of UN Women and Partners while soliciting political commitment from key critical stakeholders towards advancing women's representation, governance, and leadership.
"The ‘Open Day’ is also providing an opportunity for UN Women partners and beneficiaries to share first and success stories/positive impacts, gaps and challenges as well as also reflect on where more action is required and strengthen partnership and collaboration to expand our reach and impacts," Eyong added.
Also speaking, the Dean of Nigerian Commissioners for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, said stakeholders across the country will continue to leverage the existing structures such as women in politics, wives of traditional rulers, and women holding political offices, in attaining the set target of sensitization and strengthening advocacy on the need for women inclusion in governance, politics, and empowerment, noting that without economic empowerment of women.
Dr. Adiakpan, who is also the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs, noted that "with the vast majority of women in Nigeria still living below the poverty line, collaborative efforts must be strengthened towards the socio-economic development of women in Nigeria."
In his remarks, the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku, His Royal Majesty, Uchua Amos Item, expressed appreciation to UN Women, for their role in abolishing the draconian 'money marriage' practice, female genital mutilation, and several other barbaric cultures once prevalent in his domain.
He appealed to UN Women and partners to assist Obanliku local government area and other parts of the state in the fight against the traditional prohibition of female inheritance still holding sway in various communities of the state.
Beneficiaries of UN intervention initiatives commended the organization for its huge positive impact on communities in Cross River, calling for more focus against other atrocious practices to further better the society.
