Congratulations On International Women’s Day ~ UN-POLAC

International Women’s Day 2022: Gender Equity for a Sustainable Development –

“Break the Bias”
2022, 8 March —Amb. Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies

Today, as we celebrate the International Women’s Day of 2022 captioned “Gender Equity for a Sustainable Development –
“Break the Bias”, let’s break the Bias, break the Limits and break Barriers” —Adesanya-Davies

We all might have seen International Women’s Day mentioned in the media or heard friends talking about it. But the question is: What is this day for?

International Women’s Day, also known as IWD for short, grew out of the labour movement to become an annual event recognised by the United Nations. Actually historically, “For more than a century, people around the world have been marking 8 March as a special day for women.

“The seeds were planted in 1908, when 15,000 women marched through New York demanding shorter working hours, better pay and the right to vote. A year later, the Socialist Party of America declared the first National Woman’s Day.

“It was Clara Zetkin, a communist activist and advocate for women’s rights, who suggested the creation of an international day. She put her idea to an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen in 1910 – and the 100 women there, from 17 countries, agreed to it unanimously.

International Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. The centenary was celebrated in 2011, so this year we’re technically celebrating the 111th.Things were made official in 1975 when the United Nations started celebrating the day. The first theme adopted (in 1996) was “Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future”.

It’s evident that, women in civilized societies are offered a relatively equal opportunity with male children, so that their potentialities can equally be cultivated along with men. There we always see ladies with dreams to pursue a career in any academic discipline, we see them quantitatively becoming prominent lawyers, Doctors, Security personnel, Surgeons, Pilots, Engineers, Teachers, Veteran journalists etc.

Women are as intelligent as men; there is no study ever that portrays women as less intelligent to men. NOTE: We are talking of intelligence NOT muscular strength. But unfortunate for my sisters born into culturally siege families that can’t even socially adjust to the progressive worldviews that move forward our contemporary society. In addition to that, women play a very vital role in human progress and have a significant place in the society. They are not at all inferior to men. They are capable of sharing all the responsibilities of life. The main responsibility of a woman is to preserve the human race.

However, in our world today, women are being treated as inferior persons and second class citizens. A case on mind for instance, is on some of the Bills recently passed by the Senate and House of Representatives in Nigeria, basically related to gender parity, I am of the candid opinion that, “The female gender species is seriously endangered in Nigeria.” The two Bills are as follow: Kindly take note of the gender Bills that were voted against: Nos 15 and No 16 as follow:

15. – For an Act to Provide for Special Seats for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly; and for Related Matters.
30 senators voted in favour
58 senators voted against.

STATUS: NOT APPROVED

16. – For an Act to Provide for Affirmative Action for Women in Political Party Administration; and for Related Matters.
34 senators voted in favour
53 senators voted against.

STATUS: NOT APPROVED

May I sadly remark that , “As I read through the BREAKING NEWS on some notably passed Bills on Tuesday, by the Nigerian Senate, my heart bleeds on the issues relating to gender parity / equality and women centered matters in Nigeria in this century. This is because, out of the 68 Bills that were presented, only (2) were related to gender/ and gender parity and both failed in the hands of our men, as the senate is constituted by about 95% of men folks.

Firstly, may we seize this opportunity to celebrate and thank our fathers, the men, I mean the thirty to thirty-four (30-34) senators, who voted in favour of the two gender parity Bills. We sincerely appreciate you all, you are not only truthful to yourselves, but to Nigeria our father and to God, the creator who made us both male and female. May the almighty God continue to bless you and indeed bring to pass your very heart desires on this matter, one day and very soon!

Secondly, as regards other men that have refused to vote in support of the women, the mothers, not remembering that, when it comes to general elections, women or the female gender constitutes over 45% of voters, but they will choose to vote for the men, our dear fathers. Oh my! We seriously need the help of the HeForShe to please come out en masse the more for the rescue of the female/women folks in the nation.

These two Bills on gender parity and matters were neither carefully nor painstakingly considered and failed to fly. Why? The truth of that matter is that, the issue of the two Bills on gender parity would still need to be represented, revisited and re-considered positively inspict of this fact.

Thus, I seize this opportunity of today’s celebration of this year’s International Women’s Day 2022 worldwide, captioned “Gender Equity for a Sustainable Development” – “Break the Bias” to appeal to the Nigerian lawmakers at both Upper and lower chambers to kindly revisit and review that matter again.

As the Country President of the United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre UN-POLAC International Peace Advocates, I appeal to them in the spirit of this year’s theme, to allow Gender Equity to prevail in this matter for purpose of Sustainable Development – While they“Break the Bias”.

Today, as we celebrate the International Women’s Day of 2022 captioned “Gender Equity for a Sustainable Development –
“Break the Bias”, lets break the Bias, break the Limits and break Barriers”

Finally, women are a great resource to family and national development if given the opportunity to express their full potentialities in contributing their own quota this world would be a develop place. As we unwind towards International Day for Women with the theme “Break the Bias” I advocate for creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment that will enable young women to be champions of progress in all ramifications with their growth unfettered by gender constraints. Let support their courage, passion and encourage them to achieve more.

Lastly, may I conclude that for me, I am most passionate about the transformation, development, progress and unity of Nigeria, as an accomplished educationist, who believes I can boost Nigeria’s Human Capital Development Index and its Competitiveness in the area of skills and talent management.

I therefore use this celebration as a platform and opportunity, to once again make my declaration concerning 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria that, “I have a dream, that one day, a woman wil become the president of Nigeria, and the dream is NOW!!!”

Amb. Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies,
Country President, UN-POLAC.