Vice President Kashim Shettima has reiterated the federal government’s commitment to advancing gender equity in Nigeria through transformative policies.
Speaking on Monday during the H.I.D. Awolowo Foundation Webinar, held to commemorate the 109th posthumous birthday of Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, Shettima emphasised the crucial role of women in building a balanced and equitable society.
Shettima called for renewed national efforts to foster an inclusive society where women are empowered to lead and thrive.
“Every nation’s treatment of women serves as the ultimate marker of its civilization,” he declared. We cannot claim to have evolved as a nation unless we recommit ourselves to creating a society that offers women unconditional dignity and opportunity.”
The Vice President paid tribute to Chief H.I.D. Awolowo describes her as a “matriarch like no other and a jewel of inestimable value.”
He commended her unwavering support for her husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and her pivotal role in advocating for women’s rights, particularly in shaping policies like free education in the Western Region.
“This is what an empowered woman can achieve,” he said.
READ ALSO: Shettima calls for media, government collaboration
Shettima also acknowledged the global struggle for women’s rights, referencing icons like Susan B. Anthony, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and Hajiya Gambo Sawaba.
He highlighted how these trailblazers confronted structural inequalities, expanding the conversation from suffrage to workplace equality, reproductive rights, and the fight against domestic violence.
The Vice President noted the transformative role of technology, citing digital platforms as tools for amplifying women’s voices and achieving legislative successes, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015.
He emphasised that this landmark law is a testament to the power of women-led advocacy in creating a safer and fairer society.
Further praising President Bola Tinubu’s inclusive governance, Shettima highlighted the influence of the President’s mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, a prominent women’s rights advocate.
“Her legal battle for personal liberty set a precedent in our constitutional history, reminding us that women’s rights are human rights and must never be negotiable,” he added.
Shettima called for urgent action to address societal inequalities, particularly in education and leadership. “The nation we must build is one where no girl is denied the chance to learn, no woman is denied the opportunity to lead, and no mother is denied the dignity of safety and respect,” he stated.
However, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, marked November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
She praised HID Awolowo as a fighter for social justice and human rights, urging the need for women’s leadership and representation in every facet of society.
“We need partnerships for change—everyone must work for systemic change that will be sustainable,” she said.
READ ALSO: Shettima calls for media, government collaboration
Senator Daisy Danjuma, Chairperson of the H.I.D. Awolowo Foundation Advisory Council emphasised the importance of recognizing and utilizing the role of women in building a viable Nigeria.
“Together, let us chart a society where the role of women is recognized, celebrated, and utilized,” she urged.
Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, welcomed guests and reflected on the enduring legacy of H.I.D. Awolowo and her late husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“Their legacy is not meant to be confined to history books. It is a legacy that demands to be shared, understood, and applied in Nigeria and beyond,” she stated.
