Gender equality: Women have no plans to challenge men— Beatrice Eyong

By Abubakar Yunusa

The UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, has said the call for gender equality is not a move to challenge men for their position.

She disclosed this while delivering her address at the UN Women Nigeria Media Partners Conference 2023 in Abuja on Monday.

Eyong said women were only asking for equal opportunities for all genders to excel.

“We are not talking about women taking over men’s position but to provide equal opportunities to women just as men, removing the inequalities that block people from progressing,” she said.

Citing the theme of the conference “Escalating media action for women’s empowerment and ending violence against women and girls”, Eyong called on the media to help end gender-based violence, women empowerment and equality.

“The work we do is changing behaviour and we know the media can help us. We want to bring women’s issues to the front burner,” she said.

She said gender inequality had stopped Nigeria from achieving the MDGs and SDGs.

According to her, achieving 35 per cent affirmative action is important to bring about development in Nigeria.

Speaking at the programme, HRM Eze (Dr) Onyie Cosmas N. Agwu, the Enechi Ekuma IV Okposi Kingdom in Ohaozara, Ebonyi State, assured the Conference of the backing of the traditional institution in Nigeria.

The traditional ruler who said he had the backing of his colleagues across Africa, said the institution supports all efforts to empower women, bring them out of poverty and fight against gender-based violence.