Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike says as part of his blueprint, his administration will continuously recognize the role of women in all tiers of government.
Wike said this while addressing women in the state during a meeting/workshop on “Women Empowerment and Sustainable Development” organized by the Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs in Port Harcourt.
Represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kenneth Kobani, the governor noted that his government has strong concern for gender equality in a bid to recognize the role of women as active key players in the society.
Governor Wike used the medium to thank women in the state for their prayers, adding that God heard their cries and gave him victory at the Supreme Court.
The State Chief Executive Officer while calling on all government and private agencies and the society in general to begin to recognize the role of women, also charged women in the state to stand up for their right in all ramification, adding that the government has set out modalities to impact on them.
Also speaking, wife of the governor, Justice Suzzette Wike assured women in the state that the present administration will always recognize their rights and provide them with opportunity to speak out and discuss issues negatively affective them.
Describing her husband’s administration as one of the most gender friendly government in the country as it refused to adopt the culture where women are been seen and not heard.
“This present government has deviated from such norms and gender stereotypes, (where women are expected to be seen and not heard), and has provided an opportunity for women to speak out, discuss freely issues and problems negatively affecting women’s development economically, politically, socially and legally.
Deputy Government, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry-Baingo while speaking against gender discrimination and other practices against women in the society, said Wike’s government has come to re-unit against such barbaric and primitive practices.
Thanking the governor for believing and recognizing the rights of women and carrying them along, the deputy governor urged women to repay his benevolence by giving him their support to succeed.
Earlier, in her welcome address, Rivers State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Ukel Oyaghiri said the present administration has come to offer women in the state the hope of living freely without discrimination as it will not fold its arms and allow assault and molestation of women in the state to continue.
She said the workshop is in line with the forth coming sixtieth session of the commission on the status of women holding in March 2016 with theme “Women Empowerment And Its Link To Sustainable Development”
The Commissioner noted that the ministry among other responsibilities has the mandate to develop and promote policies and programmes that will help women in the state enhance their potentials in all spheres of life, provide them access, opportunities, resources and developmental initiatives.
She however, urged women in the state to make judicious use of the opportunity given to them by the present administration.
