As all nations celebrate this year’s International Women Day, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state has reiterated his commitment to implementing policies and programmes that will empower and protect women and girls in the state.
The Governor gave this assurance during a press briefing as part of activities marking 2021 International Women Day with the theme “Choose to challenge” and the sub-theme “Women in leadership, Achieving An equal future in a Covild-19 World” held in the conference Hall of the Ministry of Women Affairs in Yola Monday.
Represented by the Commissioner, Ministry of Humanitarian, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Mr. Elijah Tumba, the Governor said the day is set aside annually to acknowledge the contributions that women make to society.
“The prevailing insurgency in the North East has exposed women and girls to exploitation, abuse and discrimination which led to human rights violation and the COVID-19 pandemic have compounded more on Gender-Based Violence with women and girls as the victims.
“All Gender-Based Violence ranging from rape, adoption, denial, force marriages need to be urgently addressed in other to enhance gender equality”, Fintiri said.
He commended all development partners, stakeholders, and religious leaders the role they played toward the success of women and children in the state.
In her remark, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Lami Patrick said the day is being marked in Adamawa with seminars on women in leadership, as well as prayers in Mosque and Churches among others.
She however, frowned at the low participation of women in politics in the state and called on them to actively key into politics for their voices to be heard.
