Abuja , March 18, 2019 (NAN) The Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Mr Benanoyagha Okoyen, has called for stringent measures against discrimination and violence against women and girls in the society.
Okoyen spoke at a side event organised by some Nigerian organisations with the theme « Empowering Women and Girls in the Rural Area » at the ongoing 63rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
The organisations were Hope Edge International, Shamar Educational Foundation and World Mission Foundation.
The Nigerian envoy, who spoke on: « The Role and Impact of the Male Champion in the Advancement and Empowerment of Women and the Girl Child » said violence against women was now unfashionable.
Okoyen said: « Discrimination and violence against women are no longer acceptable, not excusable, not even fashionable and never tolerable.
« Male Champions must, therefore, continue to advocate for sustained local, national and international efforts to end discrimination and violence against women and the girl ».
He said the call for women empowerment was a call to duty with an ever-increasing seriousness, calling on women to stand boldly to confront every limitation against their advancement.
« A woman empowered will have a strategic life choice, strengthened voice, and expansion of aspirations in life.
« Women should therefore, be empowered to exercise greater control over issues that affect their current conditions of live and future opportunities, » he said.
President of Hope Edge International, Dr Nelson Aluya, stressed the need for the empowerment of women, especially in the area of education, if their potential was to be realised.
« Women constitute about half of the world population and as custodians of our heritage play a pivot role in the growth and advancement of any community or race especially in the developing countries where they can be a huge resource for economic growth.
« This must begin by securing their future by ensuring they are educated, » Aluya said.
The Executive Director of Shamar Educational Foundation, Dr Onyi Ikemefuna, said the organisation is aimed at giving equal opportunity and better life to all Nigerians through providing quality education to the less-privileged children and the mentally and physically retarded people.
Ikemefuna stated that Nigeria was rich but regretted that there were still people, who were poor.
Mr Anthony Chima, President of World Mission Foundation, said the organisation focuses on fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS mostly in African countries by providing information and preventive education for people at risk.
Awards were presented to some distinguished personalities at the event including Okoyen, Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, Dr Melody Sakala-Makore for their contributions to the advancement of the cause of women and the girl-child.
