Benin city – Former Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Elizabeth Ativie, has reiterated calls on the need for women in the country to unite and speak with one voice.
Rt. Hon Ativie who made the call recently during an event organized by the National Coalition On Affirmative Action (NCAA) to commemorate 2018 Women’s Day in Benin city, asserted that, the era of “pull her down syndrome” is past.
The theme of the event which is “Rural and Urban Activists, Transforming Women’s Lives”, the member representing Uhunmwode Constituency at the Edo assembly said, was apt, genuine, and timely considering the role of women in moulding society.
The female lawmaker charged women in leadership positions to use their influence to push for the implementation of 35 percent affirmative action, which she noted, is being championed by the forum of Female Parliamentarians comprising all female legislators in the 36-States Houses of assembly.
Earlier, the coordinator, NCAA, Hon Florence Gbinigie, commended the wife of Edo state governor, Betsy Obaseki, for reaching out to the legislators to pass the Gender And Equal Opportunities and the Violence Against Women Bills.
Hon. Gbinigie said that, as a civil society group working in the area of gender, NCAA have decided to work together with relevant stakeholders to work together to affect the lives of women and girls in the country.
Also speaking, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Esohe Ikpomwen, urged government at all levels to empower women by partnering with financial institutions and private sector to provide funding to female business owners.
The Edo CJ, represented by Caroline Nwoha, called on Edo state government to emulate Lagos state in establishing Domestic Violence Response Team, to encourage victims of all forms of abuse to report their experiences without fear of being stigmatized or reprimanded.
“The most important thing is the creation of awareness especially amongst the rural women. Most rural women do not know their rights, when such rights are abused or violated and what steps to take when these rights are violated”, She noted.
Present at the event, were Egor Local government council chairman, Hon Eghe Ogbemudia, representatives from the office of Edo state first lady, ministry of Health, Education, youth groups, market women, traditional rulers, amongst others.
