The Kwara State government marked International Women’s Day on Friday with a rally around major roads in Ilorin, the state capital.

The event, organised by the State Ministry of Women Affairs, was themed “Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equity Through Economic Empowerment.”

Speaking with journalists during the rally, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Abosede Buraimoh, stated that beyond the celebration, the event aimed to address issues related to protecting the rights and welfare of women.

“This celebration aims to bring to the forefront issues such as gender equality, women’s empowerment, as well as curbing social vices against women. It also aims to showcase what Kwara is doing to protect the interests of women,” she said.

The commissioner emphasised that the celebration was not about competing with men, adding, “We know men are the head; we only ask for that space to exhibit our potentials and contribute to the development of our country.”

Addressing violence against women, Buraimoh stated that the state government frowned upon such acts, describing them as totally unacceptable. She mentioned that the program targeted preaching against violence.

Explaining the theme, “Accelerating Gender Equity Through Economic Empowerment,” she encouraged women to showcase their talents, stating, “Whatever you’re good at, please showcase it. We have an enabling environment here in Kwara state.”

Buraimoh highlighted the state’s endorsement of a 35% affirmative action for women inclusion and the presence of 50% women in the governor’s cabinet across strategic positions. She encouraged women in the state to utilize the existing enabling environment to thrive.

Hajia Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, the counterpart in the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, assured that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq would encourage other governors in the country to replicate the 35% affirmative action plan for women inclusion.

She expressed gratitude for the governor’s support and advised men to refrain from violence against women, suggesting they use available channels to express their views.

The Chairperson of the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in the state, Mrs. Salmah Iyabode Mohammed, commended the state government and the State House of Assembly for approving the Violence Against Person Prohibition law (VAPP) instead of the penal code law on violence against women.

She noted that VAPP criminalized cases such as rape, wife battery, body-shaming, economic, and emotional violence.

Mohammed encouraged women to follow up on reported cases of violence and highlighted family interference as a major obstacle in achieving a conclusive end to such cases.

She pointed out that people often pressure women to settle out of court by saying, “Do you want to send the father of your children to jail? You’re the one that sent your husband to jail. You know we’re very weak emotionally.”