The United States has promised to continue to support Nigerian women to realise greater productivity, economic diversification, and income equality.
U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard said this in a statement to mark this year’s United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
She said in Nigeria, the U.S. Mission works to promote environments that support women’s economic success, address challenges that hold women back, and empower Nigerian women to do the same.
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The U.S. envoy also said the upcoming 2023 general elections are a crucial opportunity for Nigeria to include more women in leadership positions in government.
She said the equitable treatment of women is something that can be achieved, saying that it is the underlying requirement for addressing gender-based violence, GBV.
According to Leonard, Nigerian women’s full participation in public life is fundamental both to reducing their vulnerability to GBV and to sustaining Nigeria’s vibrant democracy. Yet, women and girls often face high barriers in electoral politics, governance, and peacebuilding.
Nigeria’s representation of women in state and national government stands at only four per cent in elective office and 16 per cent in appointed positions. Women not only lack a platform but their viewpoints are also excluded from the decision-making process.
The United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism is marked from November 25 to December 10 every year.
Editor: Terverr Tyav
