By Precious Ahiakwo
A women rights advocate group, Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, is calling on the Executive Governor of Rivers State Sir Siminalayi Fubara to adopt and implement the Rivers State Gender Policy, and ensure that women are allowed to participate in governance.
Executive director of the women rights advocate group, Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre Dr Emem Okon made the call in an event to celebrate the International Women Day in Port Harcourt.
Dr Emem Okon also made a demand to the federal government to hold off on approving the Shell’s intended sell off of their on-shore assets to investors until after they have cleaned up and repaired the contaminated farmlands in the Niger Delta
.
She said “In the Niger Delta, women bear the brunt of oil exploitation, facing deprivations due to environmental degradation. They play vital roles in securing the family’s subsistence income through agricultural activities, processing farm produce, and engaging in trade. The ecological degradation caused by oil extraction forces women to navigate polluted swamps for their economic activities, leading to a decline in crop yields and increased poverty”.
Dr Okon explained that this year’s theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” is quite striking as it is a call to action for accelerating women’s equality, adding that the advocacy campaign is centered on equal rights, as well as opportunities to participate in decision making processes, mobilise political will, and gain access to resources.
Our correspondent reports that other women rights advocate group like Eeedee Ladies of Tai
Olegh Centre for Community Development
Relief International
Environmental Rights Action (ERA)
League of Queens International and the
Emohua Legislative Council attended the event and joined voices in calling for the theme of this year international women day to be implemented.
