Janet Samuel, Abuja
As international Women’s Day is celebrated worldwide, the wife of the China Ambassador to Nigeria, Liang Huili has revealed that women accounted for over 40 percent of her country’s workforce, and more than half of Internet start-up businesses.
Huili made the disclosure at an event to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day on Friday in Abuja, with a theme, women in culture, supported by the Society of Nigeria Artisan.
The wife of the Ambassador who described women as creators of human civilization and drivers of social progress, said they have made extraordinary achievements across all fields of endeavor, saying that the occasion is aimed at promoting gender equality and women’s development around the world.
Huili pointed out that women has not fully attained the position they required globally, saying government need to work hard to build a world in which women are free from discrimination as well as a society of inclusive development.
She urged the government to create more job opportunities for women and crack down on violations of women’s rights and interests, while improving social services, with priority given to special groups such as pregnant women, those in poverty, old age and with disabilities.
“we need to strive for genuine gender equality. We should create new opportunities for women to participate in decision-making and be more involved in national, economic, cultural and social governance. We need to eliminate prejudice, discrimination and violence against women and make gender equality a social norm observed by all.
“Let us work together and double efforts to promote gender equality and advance the global cause of women’s development”. She said.
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, James sule, said women have always played a pivotal role in shaping societies, driving economies and fostering innovation
Musawa who noted that government recognised the challenges confronting women in the society, promised that the ministry will leverage initiatives as well as provide women with the requisite tools and resources needed to succeed in their chosen field.
The Minister also informed that the Ministry will create a more inclusive and supportive environment that will enables women to excel in creative and Cultural industries.
In a remark, the President, Society of Nigerian Artisan, Mohammed Suleiman task government to take the cause of its present day situations to not only attempt to alleviate the suffering and the decline in global economies, but to also look inwards by proffering solutions through special empowerment programmes that include micro credit schemes, skills trainings and short term workshops for mothers and widows, the protection of women’s rights at their work places and the creation of fair playgrounds for women in leadership among others.
Women in culture is an annual event to mark international Women’s Day by the Chinese women in Abuja with series of lineup activities to empower women. The theme for this year’s celebration is, Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.
