Gender equality and women’s empowerment programmes will continue to be given priority in Ekiti State inorder to promote fairness, and justice.
Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji stated this in Ado Ekiti at the celebration of this year’s INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY.
The governor’s wife who noted that there were much grounds to cover as touching gender inequality, recalled that
Women’s activism for equality had in time past been driven by oppression.
She said this year’s theme, “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for gender equality,” emphasized the need to empower women and girls around the world through the use of technology and education.
“In this digital age women and girls must not be left out in digital education as government is committed to ensure that women have equal access to opportunities in all aspects of human endeavors, particularly in education, politics, and socio-economic participation, resulting in a more gender-balanced, diverse, and inclusive society”. She added.
Dr Oyebanji said government had made the welfare of women a top priority in its Seven-Point Agenda, nothing that it would continue to be given consideration in its development plans.
In her contributions, the Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye urged Women most especially those engaging in business activities to pay more attention to digital economy so as to compete favorably with their counterpart globally.
Also, the Secretary to the state government Alhaja Abibat Adubiaro advocated equitable society where women would have equal rights in all ramifications with their male counterparts.
In their remarks, the special Adviser to the Governor on investment, Trade and Industry, Mrs Tayo Adeola and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Sola Adeluyi, encouraged women to embrace digital economy and internet banking due to the current economy and financial restructuring embacked upon by the federal government especially in the area of cashless policy.
They announced that the state government had concluded arrangements to create digital portal to market agricultural produce of the State across the world.
Women from all statutory local Governments and Council Development Areas were represented in a dance past at the occasion, where Ijero Local Government came first, followed by Ado Central LCDA and Ekiti South West took third position.
Busuyi Ogidiolu
