African Journalists for Advocacy and Development Initiative (AJADI), has called on African government to take affirmative actions to address challenges facing women and urged women to contribute their quota to national development.
In a press statement issued on Friday, in Abuja, the Nigeria Capital to mark the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Executive Director of AJADI, Mr. Abdulrahman Aliagan, highlighted critical issues affecting African women such as gender equality, girls’- child education, women’s empowerment, maternal mortality, child morbidity, and sexual harassment and other Women’s related issues.
Mr. Aliagan emphasized the need for affirmative actions to promote gender balancing and inclusive governance in Africa. He stressed that gender equality is not only a matter of social justice, but also essential for sustainable development.
He called on all African governments to implement policies and initiatives that encourage equal representation of women in decision-making positions and ensure that women have equal access to resources and opportunities.
Addressing the issue of girls’ education, Executive Director of AJADI expressed concern over the persistent barriers that hinder girls from accessing quality education in Africa. He urged governments Across African countries to prioritize investment in education, particularly for girls, and to eliminate obstacles such as early marriage, inadequate infrastructure, and cultural biases.
Women’s empowerment for sustainable development was another key focus of the statement. Mr. Aliagan called for more efforts to enhance women’s economic participation and ensure their equal access to productive resources and financial services. He emphasized that when women are empowered, societies and economies thrive.
The statement also shed light on the pressing issue of maternal mortality and child morbidity. Aliagan urged governments to prioritize healthcare services for women and children, ensuring access to quality prenatal and postnatal care, skilled birth attendants, and immunization programs. He emphasized that investing in healthcare for women and children is crucial for reducing preventable deaths and promoting overall well-being.
Furthermore, the issue of sexual harassment and other gender-related offences was addressed in the statement. Aliagan therefore urged all African governments to strengthen legal frameworks and increase efforts to tackle sexual harassment and violence against women and girls. He emphasized that such offences not only violate human rights but also hinder women’s full participation in various sectors.
