Madam Liang Huili, Wife of the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun has underscored the need to create more opportunities for the empowerment of women in order to foster national growth and development.
The wife of the Chinese ambassador highlighted the need on Friday in Abuja, at an event organised by the embassy to commemorate the International Women’s Day 2024.
The event tagged, “The Women In Culture” was organised with the support of the Society of Nigerian Artists.
According to her, women are creators of human civilisation and drivers of social progress as they have recorded extraordinary achievements across all fields of endeavour.
“We need to create more job opportunities for women and crack down on violations of women’s rights and interests.
“In China, the gender gap in compulsory education has been largely closed with women accounting for more than 40 per cent of the country’s workforce with more than half of China’s Internet start-up businesses set up by women.
“We need to enhance global cooperation in advancing women’s development.
“Without a peaceful and stable global environment and sustainable development, and without leveraging the UN’s key coordinating role, the cause of women’s development cannot move forward.
“We should create new opportunities for women to participate in decision-making and be more involved in national, economic, cultural, and social governance.
Liang also added that In pursuing development, there is a need to remove barriers and create an enabling environment in which women are motivated, their creativity is unleashed to the fullest, and they truly feel satisfied, happy and secure.
“We need to eliminate prejudice, discrimination and violence against women and make gender equality a social norm observed by all.
“We need to ensure that women advance at the forefront of our times,”Liang said.
Speaking at the event, Mr James Sule, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy expressed appreciation to China for their support and contribution towards promoting women’s empowerment.
The permanent secretary, who was represented by his Special Adviser, Aisha Bello, declared that the significance of the role of women in national development, both in Nigeria and around the world cannot be overemphasised.
“Women have always played a pivotal role in shaping societies, driving economies and fostering innovation.
“In Nigeria, women have been at the forefront of various industries and sectors contributing significantly to the socio economic development of our nation, from intrapreneurship, politics, education, healthcare, arts, technology amongst others , women have shown the ability to lead, inspire and create change,” he said.
Sule also reiterated the ministry’s commitment to supporting women in reaching their goals and fulfilling their potential.
“The ministry will leverage initiatives such as mentorship and skills development programs, as well as funding opportunities as we intend to provide women with the requisite tools and resources needed to succeed in their chosen field.
“We will also strive to create a more inclusive and supportive environment that enables women to thrive and excel in the creative and cultural industries,” he said.
Mr Muhammad Sulaiman, the President of the Society of Nigerian Artists emphasised that Nigeria must deliberately take advantage of its present day situation to look inwards to proffer solutions through social and empowerment programmes.
“These programmes includes microcredit schemes, skills trainings, and short term workshops for mothers and widows, and then the protection of women’s rights at their workplaces,
“The creation of a fair playgrounds for women in leadership positions and in advocating rights to beneficial business opportunities,” Sulaiman said.
