Ebonyi first lady advocates gender equality, women participation in governance others
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
The wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State Chief (Mrs) Mary Maudline Nwifuru has advocated for the advancement of gender equality, women participation in governance and empowerement in all aspect of life to ensure every woman and girl have access to opportunities that will uplift and transform their lives in the society.
She dropped the hint during the celebration of the 2025 international women’s day, themed “accelerate action” at WDC Abakaliki, the State Capital.
The State first lady who hinted that gender equality is not women’s issue alone but a societal issue, called on fathers, brothers, husbands, and sons to be a strong champion of gender equality for them to thrive, noting that the adminstration of her dear husband and her pet project BERWO foundation have done a lot in empowering women, providing health care services, education, entrepreneurship and political participation in the State.
She reiterated her commitment and dedication to ending gender base violence, promote second chance education, invest in girl child education, health and socioeconomic development.
The Governor’s wife enjoined Ebonyi women to join small collective financial investment in order to improve the financial status of their families.
She maintained that International women’s day celebration was a day set aside to honor the contributions, roles and sacrifices of women for societal development.
According to Mrs Nwifuru “We must continue to invest in girl-child education by ensuring that every girl in Ebonyi State has access to quality education, free from discrimination and barriers. No girl should be denied her right to learn due to poverty, cultural beliefs, or societal biases”
“Women must be financially independent. We will strengthen programs that provide women with skills training, financial literacy, and access to soft loans and grants to support their businesses and entrepreneurial dreams”
“We must enforce stricter measures against all forms of violence, abuse, and discrimination against women. No woman should live in fear, and no girl should be denied a future due to harmful traditional practices”
“More women must be encouraged to take up leadership positions in governance, business, and community development. The days of women being relegated to the background are over. It is time to take the front seat”
“Women’s health must remain a top priority. We will continue to promote maternal healthcare, cancer awareness, and overall well-being programs that ensure women lives a better lives”
Mrs Nwifuru observed that women have played pivotal roles in shaping communities and driving progress across the globe and called urgent steps to collectively close the gender gaps and systematic barriers that limit the full participation of women in governance and economic development.
“For years, women have called for equal opportunities. Today, we must move from advocacy to action, from discussions to implementation. The future of women in Ebonyi State and beyond depends on the steps we take now to ensure a society where every woman and girl has the right to dream, to work, to lead, and to thrive without limitations.”
The Deputy Governor of the State who doubles as chairman of the occasion Princess Patricia Obila commended Governor Nwifuru for his committment to inclusive governance, empowering women and girls to reach their full potentials.
She observed that the first lady’s tireless efforts through her BERWO foundation have been instrumental in amplifying women’s voices and recognizing their invaluable contributions in the State.
She revealed that the State has made history with the emergence of a female Deputy Governor, SSG and other key positions, thereby demonstrating the present adminstration’s committement to gender equality.
She assured that Nwifuru’s government remains committed to protecting women’s right and ensuring equality in all aspects of governance
Princess Obila also extolled the first lady of the Country Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her numerous empowerement programmes aimed at uplifting the lives of women in the Country through her renewed hope intiative and urged women in the State to remain more supportive to the present adminstration under Governor Francis Nwifuru to reap more dividends of democracy as he has alot of good packages for the people of the State.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for women affairs Barr. Felicia Nwamkpuma hailed the transformative roles of Mrs Nwifuru in the State. She said that the theme of 2025 International women’s day “accelerate action” was wake up call for the women to improve on their capacity, adding that Governor Nwifuru has paid counterpart fund for development project of Ebonyi women.
In their good will messages, the chairman house committee on women affairs and member representing Ebonyi North East in the State house of Assembly Hon. Chinyere Nwogbaga, Commissioner for human capital development Mrs Ann Aligwe, BERWO team lead Professor Nkechi Echiegu, wife of the Speaker of Ebonyi State house of Assembly Mrs Florence Odunwa among others lauded Governor Nwifuru and his wife for always championiong the initiatives that promote education, health care, economic empowerement for women in the State, saying that their passion for uplifting the lives of women have set a standard for others to follow while urging women across the State to remain steadfast in their pursuit of execellence for the good of the society.
Highlights of the event were lectures on sustainability of empowerement, investment and risks, being a prayerful wife and cultural troop by group
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