In a bid to creating awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives (ECOWA) with support from Action for Sustainable Development and ZOVU, has organised a bicycle race for 17 women from different occupational, socio-cultural, and experiential backgrounds.
Speaking, the founder of ECOWA, Dr. Louisa Eikhomun Agbonkhese, said the race apart from creating awareness, aimed at promoting gender equality. She used the medium to call for new accelerated approaches and solutions by the Federal Government of Nigeria and Edo State Government in particular to leave no woman or girl behind on the SDGs.
“This Bicycle Race is basically aimed at the implementation of the SDGs adopted in 2015 with a mantra of transforming the world and leaving no one behind,” Dr. Louisa said.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Edo State Minisry of Social Development and Gender Issues (MSDGI), Mrs. Barbara N. Osobajo, represented by Ms. Osawe Precious, commended ECOWA for putting up the program in creating awareness for gender equality and appreciated them for their commitment action in advocating for the rights of women.
“Global week of action 2023 for SDG aimed at transforming our world, with a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet and to ensure that people enjoy good health, justice, prosperity, and leaving no one behind.
“I want to use this medium to commend ECOWA for organising this laudable event with the objective of creating awareness and to promote gender equality in commemoration of the global week of action 2023 for the SDGs, having been identified as the NGO by the State Government through the Ministry as a body that has taken keen interest and passion in advocating for women, girls human rights in promoting peace and security through social justice, education and survival support services.
“The Edo State Government through the MSDGI, has done a lot in mainstreaming gender and promoting gender equality through empowerment programs for women and young girls, to enable them take active participation in all spheres of life,” Mrs. Osobajo said.
Also Speaking, the Edo State Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ), Mrs. Adesuwa Ehimuan, said gender disparity is a misnorm in the society, hence calling for increase in the representation of women in leadership positions both in the private and public sector.
“Nigeria Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ), Edo State chapter, today has joined voices with the Echoes of Women in Africa Initiatives to garner support for the action for Sustainable Development. Women’s leadership is crucial to sustainable social and economic development.
“Having women’s voices equally represented is a moral imperative and has significant dividends for the economy, health, peace and security. Integrating gender equality cuts across strategic plan goal areas, including health and nutrition; education; water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); child protection; and social policy.
“Strengthening our policies and systems for more gender-transformative workplaces and practices should be encouraged as part of the new norm so as not to ‘leave any one behind’,” the NAWOJ boss said.
In a remark, the Executive Director of Africa Women Empowerment Guild (AWEG), Mrs. Nosa Aladeselu said ECOWA has worked closely with AWEG in projecting issues of women in governance and to ensure there is better representation of women in governance and even in public life.
“Today as we stand for gender equality in our development, AWEG and ECOWA is saying that we want to see mire actions; projecting more women in national and local assemblies.
“Women are carrying a lot of economic burden for this nation. It is time to reward the women’s hardwork and to ensure that they have a voice that counts when decisions are being made concerning this country because women voices are lacking in the things concerning this nation. It is time for us to wake up and stand for gender equality,” Mrs. Aladeselu said.
Speaking on behalf of persons with disabilities (PWD), Ann Ojugo said persons with disabilities are clamouring for a change of negative attitudinal dispositions towards them.
“All we are saying is carry persons with disabilities along.
“You will agree with me that persons with disabilities are mostly people who are at the background of poverty because they don’t have access to education, good work and good living. Society don’t think persons with disabilities deserve life. I want to use this medium to thank ECOWA for involving the PWDs in this event. The SDGs no doubt, will transform people with disabilities globally,” Ann said.
On her part, the Chairperson of Federation of Women Lawyers, Edo State chapter, Violet Oghogho Olumese, Esq., said gender balancing is crucial to a Nation’s growth.
“We will always appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who recognizes what gender equality is and has ran with it. Noticeable are the number of women in the Executive arm and other agencies created by His Excellency.
“Gender equality means that the rights, responsibilities and opportunities of individuals will not depend on whether they are male or female, handicapped or able bodied, young or elderly, white or black, or from rural or urban settings. Women are entitled to live in dignity, safety and security. Equality is for all and it’s human right.
“Some basic factors affecting gender equality in Nigeria include: Gender-based violence (thirty-five per cent of women in Nigeria have experienced gender-based violence); economic inequality; discriminatory employment practices; political exclusion; education parity, etc.
“One of the ways in promoting gender equality is by ensuring gender-sensitive education; attitudinal changes from patriarchy toward girls and women; increasing the representation of women in political offices, etc.
“These will go a long way to achieving gender equality. Our hope for the future is that gender equality will be norm and disparity will be a thing of the past,” Violet said.
Speaking, the Edo SDG focal person, Mrs Ifueko Alufohai commended the riders that participated in the race and appreciated ECOWA and partners that have put together the event in support of taking actions for the SDGs.
“You will agree with me that bicycles are fun to ride, they are good for one’s health- physical, mental, and good for our one and only planet. This initiative has highlighted the importance of non-motorized transport in achieving the SDGs and combating climate change.
“The world is facing a climate crisis and bicycles can play a crucial role as a vehicle for change. The next five years are critical for accelerating the transformative changes needed to half global carbon emissions by 2030 and avoid the very worst consequences of climate change”, Mrs Alufohai said.
