Group sensitizes women on gender mainstreaming--Seek greater participation in trade unionism

www.odogwublog.com reports that participants at a one- day workshop on enhancing the status of women have called for increased women participation in decision making processes as a stepping stone to attaining greater heights in all field of human endeavour.

The workshop which was held in Awka, organized by Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria[MHWUN],Anambra State, attracted resource persons and experts who enlightened women on their role in the quest for greater involvement in politics cum union matters.

Mrs Chinwe Orizu, Chairperson, MHWUN, Anambra, State had set the tone for the event by urging women to be conscious of their capabilities which could be properly utilized to place them in vantage position to be leaders.

She described the theme of the workshop ''Building Women; Building the Union ''as apt and timely especially this era of seemingly female gender apathy in politics and union leadership affairs.
The Chairperson therefore expressed the view that time had come for them to strive at excellence and shun all forms of negative biases that had held them down from effective participation in trade unionism.

Presenting her welcome address, the State Chairperson, Women Commission, Comrade Patricia Maduabum, pointed out that the nation could enhance her productivity and guarantee gender equality by utilizing trained women.
According to her ''Women all over the world and Nigeria in particular today compete with their men counterparts in building the economy. For example, Late Prof Dora Akunyili of blessed memory and Dr Okonjo Iweala Ngozi and so many others made enormous  contributions to the development of this country''.

She said the workshop was anchored on empowering women towards a better tomorrow in view of their potentials in transforming nations, adding that they had proved to be better managers of human resources and materials.
''In as much as we are still having some challenges concerning gender inequality, it beats my imagination that women themselves are the architect of their problems. So at the end of this workshop, we will be better equipped for the challenges ahead towards building the union and having a better Nigeria via women''
In a paper presented at the workshop titled ''Combating gender based violence in Nigeria;Issues and Challenges'', Comrade Oby Eze, Deputy Chairman, NLC, stated that violence against women was an age long problem which must be addressed.
She enumerated types of gender based violence to include, rape, sexual assault, incest, wife battering, forced marriage, widow inheritance, female genital mutilation amongst others.
Proffering solution to the problem, she urged government to enact or reinforce sanctions to punish and redress acts of violence done to women and girls, adding that NGO's should intensify awareness campaign and report cases to appropriate authorities for further action.
Comrade Ify Oranye, South East Coordinator, Women Committee of MHWUN, who delivered a paper on ’’Trade Unions and the challenges of gender mainstreaming’ posited that 30% affirmative action be applied in workplace leadership positions.
She observed that certain factors militating against effective women participation in trade unionism including foul languages, timing of meetings often midnights to discourage them, multiple roles in family, ante natal and post natal matters amongst others must be conquered to launch them to stardom.
Comrade Oranye further urged women to take advantage of capacity building workshops, seminars and researches to equip themselves for future challenges, while men should also recognize the potentials of the female gender in workplaces as ‘’no head is empty’’.
In another paper presentation titled; ’’Commitment to gender equality and advancement of right of the Woman’’by Comrade Nnenna Okonkwo,Vice Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress[NLC]Anambra State, She described gender mainstreaming as a strategy to achieving equal opportunity and equality to both sexes.
She recalled that various conventions had been held all over the world on the issue, but regretted that the resolutions were poorly or rarely implemented and called for sustained efforts to ensure speedy implementation.
According to her, women participation in the polity is critical to achieving the desired objective as reflected in the Millennium Development Goal[MDG],urging women not to allow any perceived challenge deter them from moving up the ladder.