The National Population Commission (NPC) has expressed concerns over the plights of women, calling for the recognition and respect to their rights to equal opportunities in the country .
Chairman of the commission, Hon. Nasir Isah-Kwarra, stated this in Abuja during the 2023 World Population Day commemorated with the theme: “Unleashing the Power of Gender Equality: Uplifting the Voices of Women and Girls to Unlock Our World’s Infinite Possibilities.”
Kwara stressed the need for a collective responsibilities to tackle issues and concerns raised by the theme, calling on all stakeholders to evaluate efforts and reaffirm commitments to promote gender equality in Nigeria.
According to him, it has become pertinent to generate a renewed commitment to put women and girls at the centre of development, where they would be seen, heard and accepted.
He emphasised that Nigeria and the global community can only be able to secure a world of gender equality; a world where their Rights and Choices are respected and accorded the desired priority when women’s voices are amplified.
“Voices of women and girls should be recognized and given deserved attention regarding their pertinent needs in terms of quality education, participation in the work force; good representation in political positions across all levels; access to quality health care services including family planning information and commodities;
“Potection from harmful practices that impede their wellbeing and mar their future; protection from decisions that make them unequal across societies, then, and only then will Nigeria and the global community be able to secure a world of gender equality; a world where their Rights and Choices are respected and accorded the desired priority,” he stressed.
“Today’s event is envisaged to create and sustain platforms for engagements that will garner collective ideas, information and creativity on the best options to change the narrative regarding the plight of women and girls including young people in the world of 8 billion people.
“We look forward to deepening our partnerships in order to guarantee a world where women and girls’ voices find expression in concerns that matter most to their lives and existence for the emergence of a world where peace and progress thrive,” he added.
In his goodwill message, spokesperson of the Population Advisory Group (PAG) Ambassador Usman Sarki, stated that gender equality remains central in the full implementation of National Population Policy (NPP); as well as for addressing all the matters regarding the importance of women and girls in securing an inclusive and progressive society.
“When we ignore the voices of women and girls in the world of 8 billion, it will lead to limiting their agency and ability to make decisions that are critical to their wellbeing, such as in the areas of health, education as well as employment and wealth creation,” he said.