UN Women inaugurates HeForShe solidarity movement in Edo

By Jethro Ibileke

The HeForShe Solidarity Movement, an initiative of the United Nations Women aimed at removing the social and cultural barriers that prevent women and girls from achieving their potentials has been launched in Edo State.

The Edo campaign inauguration which is the 11th State in Nigeria, was in collaboration with the State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues and the Office of the First Lady.

In her welcome address, the UN Women Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs. Comfort Lamptey, noted that the organization “is honoured to…partner with the Edo State Government in advancing women equality through galvanising men engagement.”

Lamptey added that “with men as gender equality advocates, this will make a difference as they will inspire other men to take action.”

In her goodwill message, the wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, described the launching of HeForShe Solidarity Movement in the State as a product of years of struggle.

Mrs. Obaseki who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. MaryAnn Shaibu, called for improved capacity, stronger network and creation of a system too strong to be ignored, towards achieving gender inclusion in Nigeria.

According to her, “While it sounds appropriate to congratulate women world over for the mileage gained, it is very important that we congratulate our champions today. They are the proof that this call has been worth it.

In his goodwill message, the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, noted that his administration has entrenched a culture that supports gender inclusiveness, not just for the sake of being women friendly, but to further support the emphasis that no society will achieve its potentials while relying on just a segment of her populace.

Obaseki who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Osariodion Ogie, disclosed that his administration has “more female Commissioners, more female Special Advisers and more female Permanent Secretaries, more than previous administrations, which he said has contributed immensely to the achievement of Making Edo Great Again (MEGA).

He therefore charged the State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues to “take a cue from global best practices in the HeForShe Campaign and open a register of HeForShe Champions which will comprise of men and boys, who will commit to join in the campaign and provide the leadership needed to reach the goal of gender equality in the State.”

On her part, the State Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Marie Edeko, whose speech was read by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Dorcas Idehen, said the fundamental objective of HeForShe is to change discriminatory behaviours “through creating awareness of the importance of gender equality and women empowerment and the crucial role men can play to end the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls globally.”

High point of the occasion was the presentation of award of recognition to HeForShes in Edo State and recognition and investiture of opinion leaders and stakeholders into the HeForShe Campaign project in the State.