In an effort to dismantle gender barriers in governance and promote gender equality, the TUC FCT Women Commission is advocating for increased financial inclusion and empowerment of women in Nigeria. The call was made during the inaugural TUC FCT Women Commission Annual Summit held in Abuja.
The theme of this year’s summit was “Breaking Frontiers; A Transformational TUC FCT Women Commission,” highlighting the need to challenge existing norms and create a more inclusive society.
Addressing the audience, the National Chairperson of the TUC Women Commission, Hafsat Shuaibu, emphasized the importance of educating women on breaking through gender inequalities. She urged women to come together and empower themselves, stating, “There is nothing stopping us and there is so much out there for us to harness. Also, this is to appeal to the men, to create a safe space for us. This will bring gender equity and gender equality.”
The TUC President General, Festus Osifo, acknowledged the relevance of the summit in the context of transformation, emerging technologies, and evolving opportunities for women. He called on stakeholders to provide equitable opportunities for women to ensure their voices are heard.
During the keynote address, the President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants, Dr. Etim Okon, highlighted the transformative efforts of women and emphasized the importance of “energy, environment, and economy” in empowering women. He stressed that women need the energy of skills and values to become indispensable, an understanding of their environment and principles, and the ability to contribute to the economy.
The TUC FCT Women Commission Chairperson, Comrade Sandra Obgonna, emphasized the need for women to support and educate each other, urging them to let go of self-imposed limitations. She stated, “Today it is not about their illusions or imaginations. It is about the positive thoughts that they can have in their hearts that can be made manifest as an output, so that the world and society will see the potentials they have in them.”
On the issue of Gender Based Violence, Obgonna encouraged women to speak out against any form of oppression and limitation they may face.
The National Chairperson of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) Women Commission, Ada Mbanaso, highlighted the initiatives undertaken by unions to empower women through skill acquisition programs, financial literacy training, and other policies. However, she emphasized that more needs to be done to invest in the future of women.
The summit also featured lectures on education and government policies for women in the workplace, a pep talk on being an unapologetic woman, and panel discussions on the experiences of women in positions of influence and self-development.
The TUC FCT Annual Summit aims to recommit to creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all women in the Federal Capital Territory.
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