International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality both at home and in Diaspora!
On 16th February 2021, The Imo Special Adviser on Diaspora Affairs to Governor Hope Uzodimma organised and Chaired a strategic meeting for planning of an event to mark International Women’s Day across the Diaspora. Chief Cllr. Celia Osakwe-Hibbert is said to have been focused on the irreplaceable contributions women continue to make, especially the effective Covid19 response and recovery efforts demonstrated by women leaders and women in general. SA Diaspora therefore urged Sara, Alex and Leah to help narrow her concept into an impactful online event which wouldn’t be only enjoyable but an event that will also have a lasting effect in the lives of women.
Speaking exclusively to our reporters, Imo SA DIASPORA stated that “part of bringing societal change isn’t only limited to infrastructural investment”. “We are equally desperate for human capacity development. Women especially, are facing increased risk of unemployment, rape, lack of paid jobs, sexual exploitation, political descrimination and several other gender-based vices. “My office, the office of the Governor on Diaspora is perfectly positioned to create awareness and help to model best practices from across the Diaspora in collaboration with relevant ministries at Home” Chief Cllr. Celia Osakwe-Hibbert added.
Although the overall notion about gender parity seems like an uphill struggle, it is worth acknowledging that a few progresses have been made over the years and more significantly is that women continue to prove themselves beyond bounds. A closer to home example is the new feat attained by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and on a broader level is the fact that most of the countries that managed to stem the Covid19 tides both in health and socioeconomic terms are countries headed by Women. For instance, Heads of Government in Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Iceland, New Zealand and Slovakia have been widely recognized for the rapidity, decisiveness and effectiveness of their national response to COVID-19. Locally in Imo State it is fair to note that the Women in charge of Healthcare (under the 3R administration) also did extremely well in ensuring that the pandemic was contained.
It is therefore noble to appreciate why the reinvigorated fight for gender equality in Imo, Nigeria and the Diaspora at large. A continuous campaign unapologetically supported by the Imo Diaspora Office at every given opportunity. This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Choose To Challenge’. The Imo SA Diaspora encourages Women both at home and in Diaspora to strike the ‘Choose-To-Challenge pose’ (as pictured above) and share on social media using #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021 #Internationalwomensday to encourage people to further commit to helping forge an inclusive world where a woman’s input is recognized and valued equally.
