International Women's Day: Ighodalo makes case for knowledge empowerment for women 

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has asserted that no society will make meaningful progress without empowering women with knowledge and with resources.

He made the assertion while speaking on Saturday in Benin, at an event organized to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).

The theme of the United Nations (UN) 2024 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration is ‘Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.’

Ighodalo who called for increased investment in education and entrepreneurship for women, applauded the unbreakable spirit of the Edo Woman in the face of crushing economic hardship.

According to him, “We cannot make any meaningful progress as a society if we do not empower our women with knowledge and with resources.

“So, I call on leaders in the public and private sector to bring more women to the table; and to back their words with real action in the form of increased financial support and access to opportunities for female students and business owners.”

Ighodalo further remarked: “I marvel at the bravery, determination and can-do attitude of the Edo women as they work to build businesses, secure an education and support their homes despite rising inflation and economic uncertainty.”

“This year’s IWD theme – Invest in women to accelerate progress – is an incontestable statement of fact.

“I have enjoyed personal and professional success from investments I have made in women; and back home in Ewohimi the scholarships we have provided to girls and the financial grants we have given to female entrepreneurs have been transformational for them and for our community.

“My belief in the transformational power of women on a societal level is why we visited markets, small female-owned businesses and the students at the School of Nursing in Benin; to listen to our women and encourage them.”