NAN-AE-3
Women
By Martha Agas
Jos, Nov. 1, 2016(NAN) The Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN) in Plateau, on Tuesday called for the recruitment of more female extension workers to enhance modern farming.
Mrs Jessica Vonkat, the State Coordinator of the association made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos.
She said such recruitment would bridge the wide gap between the male and female extension workers, who would offer more empathy to the women farmers since they have similar challenges.
“They can discuss more freely with them on challenges facing women.
“ I believe the openness will give a vivid picture of their needs assessment and would help in proffering the right solutions,’’ she said.
She further advocated for more land allocation for smallholder women farmers cooperatives, saying this will help them in improving their production and generate more revenue to cater for their family and children’s education.
Vonkat implored government to establish functional marketing boards that will help women farmers to store and market their goods
She said that the board will also assist women farmers to get better returns for their farm produce.
She called on the Plateau Government to gazette the ‘Gender and Equal Opportunity Law’ to an active document and establish ‘Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission’ so as to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.
She explained that the law does not equate women with men but seeks inclusiveness in growth and development.
“ Section 11 just like other sections of the law is of great interest, especially to the rural woman, it prohibits discrimination on the grounds of gender.
“It declares, particularly, any law, regulation, custom, practices which constitute discrimination null and void,’’ she said. (NAN)
MAA/EAL/AFA
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi/Felix Ajide
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