NGO seeks social justice for women

NGO seeks social justice for women
NAN-HG-3
Barriers
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Feb. 20, 2018 (NAN) The Women Arise for Change Initiative, an NGO, has advocated for equal opportunities for women and social justice for all in the country
The organisation also urged the Federal Government to uphold the principle of social justice by removing all barriers on gender, age, tribe, religion, culture and disability.
Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, President of the group, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
She said the country would only function well when all its dealings were based on social justice and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Okei-Odumakin, who spoke on the sideline of World Social Justice Day, said the country must also step up effort at tackling poverty, exclusion and unemployment.
NAN reports that the United Nations (UN) has set aside Feb. 20 to promote public consciousness on equal right, social justice and poverty eradication.
“The possible way out of social injustice for Nigeria is for the government to realise that the underlying principle for social justice is peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among every ethnic group.
“Our government must uphold the principle of social justice by promoting gender equality and ensure the removal of all barriers that Nigerians face because of gender, age, ethnic group, religion, culture and disability,’’ she said.
Okei-Odumakin said governments at all levels must ensure issues of poverty, social exclusion and unemployment were tackled in line with UN specifications.
“Those governments must act on suggestions made by stakeholders to enable it tackle challenges of social injustice on the people and to create better life for all,’’ she said. (NAN)
LED/OMO/MST
Edited by Martins Odeh/Muhammad Suleiman Tola