No fewer than 5, 000 women thronged the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day.
The event was convened by the wife of the governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, in conjunction with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment.
The theme of this year’s Day was “Inspiring Change.”
Governor Kayode Fayemi used the occasion to remind the women of his agreement with them in a blueprint tagged “My Pact With Ekiti Women” during the 2007 election campaign and how he surpassed virtually all the promises contained in the document.
Fayemi said he promised and delivered on women and girl’s education, women’s health, gender equity in appointments and promotions, gender mainstreaming in policy formulation, women’s empowerment and eradication of discriminatory practices that undermine women’s development.
The colourful event witnessed a fun-filled march past by women delegates across the 16 local government areas, various ethnic communities, professional bodies and associations.
Mrs Fayemi, who called on the women to take stock of the progress made by them, also emphasised the need for women to celebrate heroics deeds by women in their countries and communities, added that the Fayemi-led administration had ensured that women were equal stakeholders, and had raised the status of women through various policies and legislations.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi, said that the event provides the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of women to peace and nation building.
