By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
As the world commemorate the International Women’s Day 2022 (IWD), Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBOs), Development Partners and other stakeholders in Bauchi have taken their advocacy on gender inequality and barriers militating against women realising their full potentials in governance to the Bauchi State First Lady Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed.
In an address on behalf of the Coalition, the Ameera of Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Bauchi State Chapter Hajiya Aisha Ibrahim Kilishi, said that the objective of the Coalition’s rally was to join the rest of the World in celebrating IWD and also recommit to further advocate for equal opportunity for women in all facets of human endeavour
She said that ,time without number women have proven their capabilities as prudent managers of both human and capital resources which are the key elements of nation building.
“Women all over world have proven their mettle in all facets of human endeavours that include Science, Politics, Financial Management, Governance and Technological Advancement which are key elements of Nation building”.
“The ‘Break Bias’ against women theme of 2022 IWD has succinctly captured the challenges women are facing towards realising their full potentials in this part of the world and we just have to break those barriers”, said Kilishi.
On her part Ms. Comfort Attah, Executive Director, Attah Sisters Helping Hand Foundation (ASHHF) appealed to the National Assembly to reconsider the bills that deny women rights.
She urged women to remain focused , committed and steadfast in the agenda for the inclusion of women in government.
Responding, the Bauchi State First Lady Hajiya Bala Mohammed commended the Coalition’s efforts for always spearheading issues that concerns women and also urged them to loobied their husbands for the implementation of women constitutional rights.
She further advised the women not to be confrontational but diplomatic in seeking for their constitutional rights.
The Governor’s wife also lamented that women are mostly the cause of their problems by not remaining resolute and supporting their own through thick and thin.
“We need to change our attitudes towards each other, let us shun sabotage, envy, jealousy, hate, and differences among us.
“I enjoin you to create awareness and resensitize yourself against all those barriers and differences to forge ahead,” Mohammed said.
Highlights of the advocacy rally marking the 2022 IWD by the Coalition were solidarity songs by the women amid funfare and peagentry, depicting the symbol of breaking biases through crossings of the arms.