By Omonu Nelson, Abuja
The spouse of Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Madam Liang Huili has described Women as the creator of human civilisation and drivers of social progress, even as she reiterated that women have recorded extraordinary achievements in all spheres of human endeavour.
Madam Huili stated this in a speech on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at an event jointly hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and the China Cultural Centre Abuja, to celebrate 2023 International Women’s Day.
According to her, “the development of China-Nigeria relations have enjoyed sound momentum in recent years, with political mutual trust enhanced, cooperation in various fields yielding fruitful results and coordination on International and regional affairs being closer. All these achievements couldn’t have been possible without the active participation of women from both countries.
“At the beginning of this year, I have visited some cooperative projects, took part in the commissioning of Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lagos light train blue line and the inauguration ceremony of Huawei’s data centre in Kano. There, I met many female workers, engineers and managers. I talk with them and found they play an important roles in those projects and made great contributions to the success. I’m proud of them.”
In the area of Women development in China, Madam Huili revealed that in China, the Equality between men and women is a basic State policy.
“In China, we have put in place a legal system comprising of over 100 laws and regulations for fully protecting women’s rights and interests.
“Secondly, Women’s political status has grown significantly. The number of female officials at China Communist Party, CPC, and governmemt deparmemts are 1.9 million in 2017., accounting for 26.5% of the total officials.
“Thirdly, Women are playing an important role in Economic and Social Development, supporting half of the sky. Women account for over 40 percent of the country’s workforce, and more than half of China’s Internet start-up businesses are set up by women.
“Fourth, Women’s Health Condition has improved dramatically. As a matter of fact, China is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as one of the ten FasTrack countries in women’s and children’s health.
“Fifth, women’s education level has risen significantly. In China, the gender gap in compulsory education has been largely closed. In 2017, the net primary school enrollment rates of boys and girls were both 99.9%.
Huili challenged women to redouble their efforts in order to create a world where women are free from all forms of discriminations as well as a society of inclusive development.
In an address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs Lydia S. Jafiya said “the occasion is veritable platform for educating the public on issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to addressing global problems, and to celebrate and reenforce achievements of humanity.”
In a goodwill message, the Curator /Secretary, Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN), Dr Ngozi Akande explained that, FEAAN was formed in 2001 to give women a voice.
“We use our arts as advocacy against gender based violence, rape, women rights, gender equality, and women empowerment. This we do through exhibitions, seminars, and workshops.
The event witnessed the presentation of cash and certificate to winners of the easy competition. A student of Government Secondary School, Apo, Abuja, Miss Adebanjo Seun, won the first prize, while Adetola Jerry Adesewo of Federal University Oye Ekiti got the second position. The third place finisher was Miss Adegboyega Deborah of Model Secondary Maitama, Abuja.
The event, which had in attendance, large number of spouses of Envoy’s in Abuja, also featured dance, song and other side attractions.