The National Council for Women Societies (NCWS) has urged authorities to intensify efforts toward achieving gender equality, stressing the need to tackle poverty, illiteracy, and gender-based violence affecting women.
This appeal was made yesterday during a press briefing at the NUJ Press Centre in Calabar, Cross River State.
NCWS President, Mrs. Majority Asuqwo, highlighted that despite ongoing global and local efforts since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995, many women continue to face economic hardship, limited access to healthcare, and exclusion from key decision-making processes.
She emphasized that closing the gender gap, which experts estimate could take 135 years requires urgent and accelerated action.
“This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ is a call for leaders and stakeholders to push for faster reforms. We can’t afford to wait over a century for equality. Women need support now — in education, healthcare, and leadership,” Mrs. Asuqwo said.
Adding her voice, former NCWS President, Reverend Grace Ekanem, stressed the importance of educating the girl child, warning that denying girls education jeopardizes future generations.
“When you deny a girl child education, you deny an entire generation. An educated woman contributes not just to her family but to society at large. Look at Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and other women breaking barriers globally — this is why we must prioritize education for our girls,” Reverend Ekanem stated.
She further decried the lack of inclusivity in leadership appointments, noting that, “in a room of 10 appointees, you often find just one woman. This is not fair — we deserve a seat at the table.”
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State, Archibong Bassey, encouraged women to stand united, urging them to support one another in the fight for equality.
“As we call on the government, we must also uplift each other. When a sister stumbles, we should help her back on her feet. Our strength lies in solidarity,” Bassey said.