HURSDEF recognizes the International Women’s Day and joins the world in celebrating the cultural, social, economic and political importance, and achievements, of women around the world. We celebrate women regardless of their ethnicity, culture, language, economic or political strength or weakness. With this year’s theme “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up for Gender Equality” we join in the campaign and “Pledge for Gender Parity”.
International Women’s Day means different things to different people, for some it’s a celebration, for others it’s a call to action to accelerate Gender parity, for many it’s an opportunity to align and promote relevant activity. HURSDEF acknowledges that efforts have been made towards attaining gender equality but there is ample evidence to show that much more needs to be done. According to the World Economic Forum prediction in 2015, with the current slow pace in closing the gender gap, gender parity wouldn’t close entirely until 2133. Hence, it is upon HURSDEF as the forerunner organization in enhancement, promotion, protection and preservation of the Human Rights of people especially women in Nigeria, to remind government at the federal, state, and local levels, and the populace, of our collective responsibility to involve women at all levels of governance and in key institutions for nation building. Women must participate at all levels of societal existence; right from the family to communities and even religious organizations, they must not be relegated at the background.
In line with Goal 5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls – HURSDEF pledges to continue its work on awareness creation on women’s rights especially and how to access key institutions that work towards protecting those rights; economic empowerment of women to secure their homes and ensure survival of their children; and ensuring women involvement in key institutions at all levels of government, including peace-building and mediating institutions. The abduction of several girls, several clashes which affects women and children is a primary concern for HURSDEF. HURSDEF condemns this criminal act and calls on the Government of Nigeria to provide protection and adequate security for our women and children. We say NO to the perpetration of violence against women and the girl child! We align ourselves to the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, as amended, in its chapter4 (fundamental rights) particularly Section 42, and, The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, The Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa, The Universal Declaration Of Human Rights and The United Nation Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, which all prohibits discrimination and promote equality.
As a HURSDEF partner, and friend, we urge you to joins hands with us in the celebration of our women and make a DIFFERENCE: TO THINK GLOBALLY AND ACT LOCALLY, by making every day an International Women’s day, thereby making a PLEDGE FOR PARITY, by saying YES TO GENDER EQUALITY.
Thanks,
Yours faithfully,
HUMAN RIGHTS, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL FOUNDATION (HURSDEF),
Signed:
SUSAN .O. NNOROM ESQ,