The Ogun Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, on Thursday lamented that gender disparities remained a challenge in the country and had continued to impede the nation’s growth.
Adeleye stated this at the 8th annual Pre-Council Workshop for the Southwest Zone towards the 25th National Council on Women Affairs held on Thursday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
She noted that while the ministry had continued to implement impactful initiatives focused on gender equity, protection of children, support for the elderly and persons with disabilities, these challenges still persisted.
The commissioner insisted that the workshop was not just a routine meeting, but a convergence of purpose, a call to action, and an opportunity to reflect and realign collective strategies for women, protecting the vulnerable, and strengthening families and communities.
Adeleye said, “In a time when gender disparities still challenge our collective advancement, this forum provides fertile ground for robust dialogue, policy brainstorming, and experience-sharing that will help shape outcomes at the forthcoming National Council of Women Affairs.
“I, therefore, urge us to engage deeply, speak boldly, and listen intently. Let our conversations be guided by facts, driven by compassion, and rooted in the vision of a Nigeria where women are not just seen, but are heard, respected, and empowered.”
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Maryam Keshinro, represented by Ameh Esther, an official of the ministry, disclosed that in order to fulfil their mandate, the gathering would concentrate on the presidential priority areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda, ministerial deliverables, key performance indicators, and council memoranda for effective policy alignment.
In her welcome remarks, Mrs Adejumoke Adewole, Permanent Secretary in the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs, welcomed all delegates and promised that the workshop would offer a chance to consider, discuss, and evaluate the progress made in promoting the rights and well-being of women and girls in Nigeria.
Adewole expressed gratitude to the governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the ministry’s commissioner for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that laws that protect and empower women are not only formulated but also fully domesticated and implemented, saying Ogun’s vision for women and girls is bold, deliberate, and holistic.
She, however, harped on the need to move from advocacy to action, and to ensure that laws are enforced and survivors receive justice, support, and dignity.
“The sad reality is that too many of our women and girls continue to live in fear and silence. We must move beyond advocacy to action, ensuring that our laws are enforced and that survivors receive justice, support and dignity. To ensure that our adolescent girls and young women have access to comprehensive health information and services which is a right and not a privilege,” she said.
