Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has assured that his administration would remain committed to the ideal of gender equality and always ensure that women are given their due regard.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, gave the assurance at an event commemorating this year’s International Women’s Day.
He noted that women across the world have contributed immensely towards the society’s development, adding that the resolve to make them critical stakeholders of his administration from inception has been vindicated by their performance.
“The contributions of women towards the development of the society, especially in our dear country, are well documented. Women have indeed continued to play increasingly vital roles in all the critical sectors of national and global development over the years,” he said, urging them to remain focused and bold in asserting their rights.
Also speaking, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, stressed the need for women to be united as their dreams can be easily realized this way.
She said, “gone are the days when women’s job was only in the kitchen. These days we have women doctors, women lawyers, politicians, and so on; so try and be somebody in the society.”
She implored them to be bold in resisting child marriage, violence against women, maltreatment of widows, among other malaise, noting that God would continue to be their strength.
Earlier, the state’s commissioner for gender affairs and social development, Mrs. Peace Nnaji, extolled the leadership style of Governor Ugwuanyi and commended him for his administration’s women-friendly policies.
“I wish to appreciate our amiable and dynamic governor who has demonstrated his commitment to the empowerment of women in various areas including skill acquisition, education, employment scheme, among others. His Excellency, we are proud of you,” she said.
The occasion featured march past by various women groups, cultural dance and exhibitions.
