To commemorate the 2022 International Women’s Day, a coalition of women groups in Oyo State, Tuesday, staged a peaceful walk around major streets in Ibadan, the state capital.
The walk which was led by the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, saw the women who wore various colorful customized outfits carry placards, banners and chanting solidarity songs.
The walk which started around Bodija terminated at the House of Assembly Complex, Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan where a protest letter was presented to the Chairman, House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Olawunmi Oladeji.
Other groups which participated in the walk include the National Council of Women Society of Nigeria, NCWS; Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, FOMWAN; Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA; Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN; Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria, NASFAT; Youth and Women Initiative, YWI; Down to Heart Speak Out, Sola Olagunju Foundation, and Society for Women In Development, SWID, among others.
The walk which was supported by the Centre for Population and Reproductive Health, CPHR, has as its theme, “Gender Equality for Today for sustainable Tomorrow”.
The Chairperson, Oyo NAWOJ, who also doubles as the Secretary of the Coalition, Comrade Jadesola Ajibola, in her speech while presenting the protest letter, explained that women had been marginalised in many areas especially in the ongoing constitutional amendments by the 9th National Assembly.
She urged the federal lawmakers to immediately revisit women issues rejected during the 5th amendments and give them renewed attention.
Also speaking at the presentation of the protest letter, the president of the coalition, Bushrat Olosho, said women must be given more opportunities to showcase their God given talents and be allowed to be fully represented ahead of the 2023 general election.
Oladeji, who is the only female lawmaker in the Oyo House of Assembly, in her remarks, called on women across the country to always lend a helping hand to one another and avoid pulling one another down.
She noted that it was important for women to learn lessons from the women related amendments that were rejected by the 9th National Assembly, stating that if more women were elected such amendments would not have been rejected but men would be lobbied for such important things.
Oladeji lauded Governor Seyi Makinde, for assenting to women related bills in the state while also thanking the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, as well as other members for supporting women and ensuring that women bills were passed promptly.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Kafilat Olayiwola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Christiana Abioye, on her part, promised that the ministry would always promote women development while seeking ways to ensure that women lived more meaningful life.
She commended the governor for always supporting women, the First Lady, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, the Head of Service, Mrs Amidat Agboola, and other women who have been outstanding in speaking for the development of women and girls.
