Gender Equity And Social Inclusion: Osun First Lady, Others Charge Women To Champion Course

The women Vogue have been charged to intensify lobbying and advocacy efforts at ensuring that the gender equity and social inclusion bill is considered and passed by the National Assembly.

Stakeholders gave the charge at the launch of Osun State gender equity and social inclusion policy in commemoration of the 2022 International women’s Day celebration organized in Osogbo by the wife of the State Governor, Kafayat Oyetola.

This was coming on the heal of the decision of the House of Representatives to rescind its decisions on three gender bills for consideration and passage.

Held in Osogbo, the annual event brings together, wives of cabinet members and political office holders as well as representatives of women groups from across the state.

Lectures were delivered by resource persons on different topics particularly on the importance of Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law and the need for women to take its advantage.

A Professor of History, Siyan Oyeweso encouraged women to take their destiny into their hands to realise their dream.

This just as the wife of former Governor of Oyo State, Florence Ajimobi emphasized the need for women to actualize the theme for this year’s celebration through one voice, support and togetherness.

Speaking, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola the present administration in Osun is devoting attention to the attainment of gender equity and equality by taking unprecedented steps to effectively integrate women into the political and economic systems.

“The International Women’s Day is a significant day set aside by nations to bring awareness to the need for eradication of gender bias, foster gender equality and bring about better society. The focus is that nations of the world take actions that would ensure that our women, our girls do not face any form of discrimination in the appropriation of resources or decision making process leading to such.

“Since the inception of the present administration, improved attention has been devoted to the attainment of gender equity and equality in Osun. The administration has taken unprecedented steps to effectively integrate our women into the political and economic systems, she said.

The First Lady highlighted some of the efforts made by the government of the State on gender equity including the passage and implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law.

She said, “the administration is on record on the passage and implementation of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law. This law takes a global view of the various biases and attacks that have for long yoked our women in the areas of health, social engagements, political participation and economic engagements. I thank Mr. Governor, the Speaker and the members of the House Assembly for this.

“Today, after putting in place the necessary legal framework, we shall take another significant step in ensuring gender equity and gender equality in Osun by launching the State Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy.

“This Policy would help to move further the gains that had been recorded from the various development efforts of our founding fathers in the State. The Policy will also help the State to appropriate the talents of our people irrespective of either being born male or female. This inclusiveness would boost the development index of the State in an unprecedented manner.

“We have chosen to launch this Policy today to further accentuate the determination of the present administration to make Osun a better place for men and women to live together and improve their living conditions. This desire further informed the choice of our theme #BreakTheBias.

“We are in no doubt that women in Osun are as talented, industrious and willing as their male counterpart to jointly drive the plough of development in this State. This however, can only happen if we individually and collectively work together to break every form of bias against the female gender.”

Mrs Oyetola also preaces against stereotypes and discrimination against women saying for a sustainable development to be attained, biases must be broken.

“This is the time to break every form of bias, stereotypes and discrimination against women. If we are to Mrs Oyetola
I must however speak to our women that you should not take your femineity for granted.

“Do not expect to be gifted governance and political participation just because you are women or female gender. Let us develop ourselves and be women of content, character and capacity. This would be unassailable assets that recommend us.”

Participants promised to take the message to the women at the grassroots.