By Philip Ikponko (UMUAHIA) –
The worldwide campaign for equitable treatment for all, irrespective of gender, has received a boost from the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Lauretta Onochie.
Onochie added her voice to the campaign when she spoke at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Monday during a courtesy visit by the female champions of the Commission’s football tournament.
The NDDC Board Chairperson, who expressed her delight at receiving the female champions in March when the world focuses attention on women’s matters, said: “We must all learn to treat our girls the same way we treat our boys.”
Her appeal is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5, which seeks to “achieve gender quality and empower all women and girls,” is one of the 17 goals established by United Nations in 2015.
Achieving gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but also a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
Some of the key targets and indicators of SDG 5 include ending all forms of discrimination, violence and harmful practices against women and girls and; ensuring women’s full participation and leadership in all levels of decision-making.
Others are: providing universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights; promoting women’s economic empowerment; and enhancing women’s role in peacebuilding and humanitarian action.
