IWD: Nigerian women have made tremendous progress - Ekpere-Eta

Mrs. Mary Ekpere-Eta, DG, NCWD

Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), Mrs. Mary Ekpere-Eta, has rated Nigerian highly, saying the womenfolk have made tremendous progress in different spheres.

Ekpere-Eta, while speaking during a media breiding to mark the 2019 International Women Day (IWD) said that Nigerian women have proven themselves as leaders and symbols of success in both the public and private sector.

She added that Nigerian women have excelled in the academia, business, politics and even in governance.

 According to her, "women in Nigeria by dint of hard work have broken down barriers that once made certain careers, sectors, positions and offices the exclusive preserve of men".

International Women's Day (IWD) which is celebrated annually on March 8 is a day set aside to celebrate Women's social, political and economic achievements while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action. The 2019 theme is "Think equal, build smart, innovate for change”

“Nigerian women have worked their ways to the top in various sectors. Women are now major players in business, politics, the academics and just about any area endeavor.

“We may not have reached our goal of having 35 representation in government, but women have broken the glass ceiling in the public and private sector. We have a large pool of female entrepreneurs, academicians, sports stars, investors and leaders, who are contributing to the development of the country.

"Today, you can say we have a lot to show for years of advocacy for gender equality, judging by the success millions of women have recorded in their chosen fields”, she said.

Speaking of the theme for the IWD 2019, the NCWD, Director-General, said her agency has implemented  programmes through which women have been trained on applying ICT and other forms of innovation in their businesses and even in running for political office.

She disclosed that female farmers, the visually impaired and female Micro, Small, Medium Entrepreneurs have benefited from training by the Centre on ICT and Project Management, with the goal of making them agents of economic prosperity.

Ekpere-Eta disclosed that work has reached advanced stage on the One Stop Crisis Centre, where the Gender Based Violence Electronic Data Dashboard established by Ncwd Abuja-nig will be domiciled.

She also announced that the Centre in collaboration with the University of Abuja will be running  a Master’s Degree Porgramme on Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement. 

National President of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Dr. Laraba Shoda who gave a goodwill message at the briefing commended the NCWD for prioritizing the mainstreaming of ICT  and further education for women through its programmes.

Mrs. Shoda was represented at the event by Mrs. Oluwayemisi Nathaniel.