By Abasi Ita, Calabar
The Commissioner for Women Affairs in Cross River state, Mrs Edema Irom has called for effective collaboration among stakeholders in the campaign against socio-cultural and economic factors inhibiting the advancement of the female gender in the state to guarantee optimum results
Mrs. Edema who stated this in her address during a press briefing to flag off activities heralding the 2024 International Women’s Day stressed that such “synergy has become imperative for effective coordination needed in creating maximum impact in ongoing battles aimed at creating the enabling environment for women to live their full potential”
She decried the abysmal percentage of women in the policy and decision circle in Cross River noting that such unequal representation negates globally acceptable standard and frustrates current efforts to enable women and girls to optimize their dreams and aspirations.
According to her “The percentage of women in policy and decision making process in Cross River is less than 10%. The percentage of women who benefits from agricultural grants and inputs is not more than 29%,. Not more than 31% of women are in large-scale business because they lack access to land. This narrative must change”
On the disturbing cases of gender violence and sexual exploitation around the state despite concerted efforts to curtail the menace, the commissioner attributed the upsurge to the current harsh economic realities which has lead to a “number of young girls and women engaging in transactional sex and other negative coping mechanism for survival”
She commended the wife of the state governor, Rev. Mrs Eyoawan Otu for her relentless zeal in scaling up the campaign against gender-based violence as well as Governor Bassey Otu for the political will to ensure the success of the battle.
Irom explained that the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration coming up on March 8 with the United Nations theme “Count Her In Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress” was conceived to foster cohesion while exploring viable options to advance the cause of women.
In a goodwill message, Tricia Aloizo of Heartland Alliance disclosed that the organization opted to liaise with the Ministry of Women Affairs to celebrate the incredible achievements, resilience, and strength of women globally in the quest to secure gender equity,mutual empowerment and evolve a world where every woman and girl can thrive without limitations”
Aloizo revealed that the 2024 theme; Inspire Inclusion” was meant to implore everyone to recognize the unique perspective and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities”
She called for investment in programs to end violence and promote inclusion in politics, digital technologies, peace building as well as decision-making processes to guard against discriminatory policies inimical to the interest of women
The Heartland rep revealed that the organization is currently “implementing the KPCARE 1 project which seek to reduce new HIV incidence among key population,their sexual partners and children across all the Local Government areas in the state.