NAN-H-61
Policy
by Chiazo Ogbolu
Lagos, March 8, 2018(NAN) The Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) on Thursday urged the Federal Government on policy that would encourage gender parity.
The Executive Director, W.TEC, Mrs Oreoluwa Lesi, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
According to her, when such is adopted, it will bridge the gender gap that exists in all spheres of life.
Lesi, who was speaking as the world marks the International Women’s Day, said that women were generally industrious and needed support from both family and government to forge ahead.
The day, which comes up every March 8, is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
“In this country, what exists is mostly quota in allocations of things that have to do with job and others.
“There is need for government and private establishments to do a 50-50 sharing of both men and women as regards putting up initiatives and entrepreneurial schemes for the public.
“For women to achieve their social, economic, cultural and political potential, there is need for individual and government’s intervention which can come in form of policy, ” she said.
Lesi said that in putting up schemes, there was need to do a deliberate recruitment of women having in mind that men would surely come out to fill such positions when made open.
She said that another way of encouraging gender parity was to focus on the home front when the children were young.
“The family has a big role to play in the careers their children choose and as such they should focus on moulding them to the right direction.
“The parents and teachers who take care of the children should pay more attention to the girl child in their care, watch where their interest are focused on.
“With this focus and less pressure from parents and guardians, the girl child will be moulded to do what she wants to do in life,” she said.
Lesi called for a lot of programme that would contribute to women overcoming their challenges and be able to focus on their businesses.
She said as regards politics and governance, there was need for women to have an interest in such leadership roles and being good managers at the home front, they could use the skill in governance.
“Politics is all about managing the resources of a nation and also governance and since it had to do with men and women, the women folks have a role to play.
“For them to involve in politics, they need to be well informed, accountable, and meet with the requirements in politics,” she said.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Press for Progress’’.
The International Women’s Day was first celebrated in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on March 19, 1911.
Two years later, in 1913, it was proposed that the date be moved to March 8, with the original aim of the celebration being to achieve gender equality for women. (NAN)
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Edited by Grace Yussuf