By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State has advocated for taking actions towards creating enabling environment to enable women to compete favorably with men in all spheres of human endeavors.
The advocacy was part of a key address at the 2023 National Women’s Conference organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos.
Represented by the the State Deputy Governor Mohammed Auwal Jatau, the Governor said already Bauchi state government is championing the welfare of women, whom he described as the backbone of the society.
The Governor informed the participants of the conference that the present administration in Bauchi has collaborated with UNICEF and religious institutions with a view to improving existing systems to uplift the standard of living of the Almajiri children and others facing harsh realities in the society.
According to him, some of the key policy measures taken included the passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law; domestication and adoption of National Gender Policy, National Gender Policy on Agriculture, National Gender Policy in Education, Food and Nutrition Policy, Social Protection Policy and the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on the involvement of women in peace process.
He regretted that gender inequality remains a pressing issue, which is hindering the nation’s progress, hence the need for prompt action to eliminate the various obstacles that women face through making quality education accessible and affordable to every girl child, in addition to equipping them with knowledge and skills to excel in any field they choose.
As contained in a press statement by the Special Assistance the Deputy Governor on Media, Muslim Lawal anipr , the Governor appreciated the foresight of Mrs. Funmilayo Johnson, the wife of the first Military Governor of Lagos State for initiating COWLSO in 1974 as a community based gender organisation to complement the effort of the Lagos State Government to promote child healthcare, empower women to discover their hidden treasures and protecting the environment.