The Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) has called for action on gender parity to assist women and girls to fulfil their potential.The call is in a statement issued by Mr Pius Oko, the Executive Secretary of LHF, in commemoration of the 2023 International Women’s Day (IWD).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that IWD is a UN annual global observance day aimed at bringing to the fore, issues that affect women and girls, as well as celebrate those championing the cause of women empowerment and development.
The foundation scribe, therefore, stated that ”LHF, the coordinating platform for the Africa Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA) of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA) said that accelerated gender parity will promote energy access in Nigeria and Africa.
”March 8 is a universal day of celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
“As we mark this year’s IWD theme: EmbraceEquity reiterating gender equity needs to be part of every society’s DNA.”
Oko also stated that Ms Ameedat Abdulsalam, the Project Assistant of LHF re-emphasised the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls.
He quoted her as saying ”due to existing inequalities, women and girls bear the brunt of climate change and they are the least able to adapt to or mitigate climate change effects.
”During climate crisis, the girl-child is usually the first to drop out of school due to existing imbalance in the social construct; this increases their economic dependency.”
According to her, illiteracy hinders participation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and lesser chances of participating in the political and social decision making of the economy.
“Consequently, they will be unable to make informed decisions concerning their environment and it ends up in the vicious cycle of less meaningful participation of women in decision making.”
She therefore called for improved gender-sensitive educational structures and gender responsive climate policies to tackle all forms of gender imbalance.
Abdulsalam said that this would ensure that the needs of women and girls are intentionally catered for during climate crisis as climate justice can only be achieved when there is gender justice.
Ms Ekeka Ende-Pogo, the Communication Lead of the NGO, stressed the need for women to be empowered to become creators and innovators to enable digital innovation create a more equitable and inclusive world.
She said ”let us also commit ourselves to the goal of innovation for all.
”This is because women in developing countries, marginalised communities and those with disabilities have been left behind in the digital revolution, leading to widening gender gap in digital skills and access.”
She added that digital innovation has the potential to empower women and advance gender equality.
Ende-Pogo said that digital innovation would provide digital literacy training, create mentorship and networking opportunities to develop new technologies to address gender gaps in the workplace.
Ms Enogba Ende, Financial and Programme Personnel with LHF, said that globally, women and girls have built resilience in spite of the challenges faced.
She said ”and today, we call for a more inclusive world that empowers and recognises the role of women in the society, together we embrace equity.”
Ms Margaret Bartholomew, the Programmes Assistant, LHF, said ”one woman can make a difference with EmbraceEquity; the world needs strong women who will lift and build others.
”We must, therefore, embrace equity to forge harmony and unity, and to help drive success for all.”
