The Southern Women Empowerment forum is dedicated to uplifting and empowering women in the Southern region, enabling them to achieve their full potential and contribute to the development of their communities. The Forum believes in fostering and inclusive environment that promotes gender equality, provides support, and advocates for the rights and well-being of women
The 2024 Inaugural National Conference and Investiture Ceremony of the Southern Women Empowerment Forum was held on the 29th of February at Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro, Abuja.The ceremony featured His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as special guest of honor, and his wife, Her Excellency, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, as it had His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan and Her Excellency Dame Patience Jonathan as father and mother of the day respectively. They were all represented.
At the event, the leadership of the Southern Women Empowerment Forum pledged that more rural men and women will benefit from their empowerment project, ensuring that the country’s multidimensional poverty rate is dramatically reduced.
This comes as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has stated that the House will reintroduce and support the measure on special seats reserved for women in the ongoing constitution amendment to ensure that women have a greater participation in politics.
The Speaker, in a message delivered at the inaugural conference of the Southern Women Empowerment Forum (SWEF) on the theme “Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Gender Stereotypes in Nigeria,” lamented the decrease in the number of women elected to various offices across the country following the 2023 general election.
Abbas, who was represented by Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Otunba Adewumi Onanuga, remarked that democracy can only be relevant and appealing if it ensures the inclusion and involvement of all parts of society, regardless of faith, gender, identity, or other socioeconomic differences.
He boldly stated that there can be no democracy or prosperity without women.The Speaker promised that the House would enact the gender equality measure “to ensure women’s active and equal participation in Nigeria’s political and decision-making processes.””The house will strengthen oversight of government institutions to ensure compliance with the National Gender Policy,” and it will also oversee “the full implementation of the 35 percent Affirmative Action on appointing an elective position in both public and private sectors.
Former First Lady Dame Patient Jonathan also urged the gathering to stay devoted to the objective of strengthening women’s rights and financial independence.Jonathan, the forum’s National Grand Matron, remembered that as Nigeria’s first lady, she worked tirelessly to mentor women to hold at least 35% of elective and appointive posts in our country.”Then I found that Woman for Change and Development Initiative as my pet projects to advance this course.
Mrs. Jonathan, who was represented by Hadiza Musa Ujah offered to be accessible to work with forum members.”I believe that gradually we shall build the capacity of women in our country to adequately equip them for the tasks of guiding our nation to peace, progress and prosperity,” she went on to say.Dr. Helen Adebakin, President of SWEF, stated that she is committed to advancing the cause of women’s empowerment and tearing down the hurdles that have kept women back for far too long.
Along with Mrs Hadiza Musa Ujah was Hon. Regina Anyogor, a two time member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, and a host of other Cross River State Honorable women who are stakeholders of the Southern Women Empowerment forum.