By Stanley Onyekwere
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls (AEIG), has stressed the need to foster sustainable support for the socio-economic and political development of FCT indigenous women.
The NGO made this point during an Indigenous women town hall meeting, it organised in commemoration of international women’s Day, at AMAC Legislative building, Area 10, Abuja, last week.
In her welcome address, AEIG Executive Director, Abiodun Essiet, noted that despite their enormous assets and contributions to the society, the indigenous women still suffer multiple discrimination, both as women and as indigenous individuals.
She added that the FCT original inhabitants’ women have been homemakers right from the stone age using their strength and energy to contribute to family needs and social development.
According to her, they engage in farming and trading, which are critical factors in nation-building.
“Even in their vulnerability on the issues that affect them, the indigenous women of FCT have remained the backbone of their families as they play a vital role in the social, cultural, political and economic development of their communities.
“Their contribution to fostering and promoting socio-economic development can never be overemphasized as they exhibit tenacity and resilience as their male counterparts.
“Without the active engagement and participation of indigenous women and other women in various social-economic and political frameworks, the progress of the country will remain stagnant”, she explained.
Also speaking, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, opined that it was time to create equal and equitable opportunity for FCT indigenous women.
Candido said: “This is a clear, direct and very simple demand for the women as it is very necessary and timely of which Nigeria should not be an exception.
“I want to beg the National assembly members in particular to please have a rethink and revisit all the gender bills they said no to.
“It is a good idea and we must key behind what other nations are doing globally, let us give these woman what they are actually asking for, let us encourage them”.
The town meeting themed: “Deliberative dialogue with original inhabitants women in FCT, Identifying their struggles & celebrating their resilience”, was graced by indigenous women leaders and groups drawn from the six Area Councils of the Territory.
