Nigerian Women Demand for More in Education

Nigerian Women Demand for More in Education

Nigerian women have called on the government and stakeholders to do more on women education to enable them catch up in all aspects of development.

The appeal comes as Nigerian women join their counterparts the world over to commemorate the International Women's Day.

Ensuring qualitative education

Some of the women who spoke with newsmen said that additional input by the government and stakeholders in the education sector would go a long way in making qualitative education accessible to all.

The National President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Mrs Ezinwa Okoroafor, said that the issue of access to education was important because education opened up the path to progress.

“We may not have done as much as we had hoped, but we can't deny the fact that we have made some significant strides.
 
“You will agree with me that most of the women who have been given the opportunity to serve either through appointment or contest, have done well,'' she said.

The Head of Programme, Reproductive Health Unit, UNFPA, Dr Salma Anas-Kolo, noted that Nigeria had progressed in women's rights.

In her words, “Policy makers, religious leaders community leaders, are every day being sensitised about the rights of women and the girl-child, and this is a step forward.''

She, however, noted that many women could still not access the desired services, especially expectant mothers, while young girls lack access to adolescent sexual and reproductive services.

Involvement in governance

She explained that the theme of this year's event, `Equal Access to Education, Training and Science and Technology: The Pathway to Decent Work for Women' , was crucial in creating an enabling environment for the Nigerian woman.

Okoroafor advised women on the need to insist that things were done in the right way as well as to ensure transparency.

She called on women to participate in the electoral process, noting that every woman has the power to determine the kind of leadership in Nigeria by participating in the democratic process.

“Engage politicians on the issue they promised to do, ask them what budget is available for women health issues and the children education”, Okoroafor said.

NAN/Williams/Ekata