In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), the Lagos State branch of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) has called for deliberate steps to promote women’s and girls’ creative and artistic talents.
The association also called for actions to forge women’s economic empowerment, support women and girls in leadership, decision-making, and business processes, help them make informed choices about their health, and provide them with access to quality education and training, among other things.
The IWD, commemorated every March 8, is a day to celebrate women who are committed to advancing women’s equality globally.
This year, 2024, the United Nations campaign theme for the IWD is: Invest in women to accelerate progress.
In a statement made available by the President of MWAN, Lagos State, Dr Funmi Ige said, “When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion and inclusivity, we forge a better world. When we as women inspire to be included, it imbues us with a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.”
She said including and partnering with women means openly embracing their diversity, such as race, age, ability, faith, etc.
The MWAN President stressed the importance of understanding the values and seeking out the inclusion of women and girls in all fields of endeavour worldwide.
She said, “Organisations and groups such as ours – the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch – have a lot of roles to play in inspiring inclusion, be it at home, at work, or in the community.
“We must strive to ensure that the needs, interests, and aspirations of women and girls are valued and incorporated into the scheme of things at all levels. We must, at all times, take action when and where women are not equitably treated; we must call out poor practice when they are discriminated against.
“Imperatively, we must deliberate about forging women’s economic empowerment, supporting women and girls in leadership, decision-making, and business processes, helping women and girls make informed choices about their health, providing women and girls with access to quality education and training, promoting women’s creative and artistic talents, and addressing areas further supporting the advancement of women and girls.”
She joined the United Nations’ call for action for a more inclusive world for women.
“Let’s all resolve to collectively do all we can to support and advance the causes of women,” she added.
