The ASHWAN stressed that discrimination against victims of HIV/AIDS was a serious issue which should be addressed by the stakeholders.
The group, however, strssed the need to further promote gender equality for the development of the country.
The group’s Coordinator, Mrs Catherine Agboola, made the call while speaking at the commemoration of the 2024 International Women’s Day, held in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Friday.
The IWD is celebrated on March 8 annually.
The official theme of the day for the United Nations is ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress.’
Agboola said, “The objective of this day is to advocate for increased investment and accelerate progress for women and girls in all their diversity through a society free from stigmatisation and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS.
“It is a very serious issue, and it is one that we all need to work together to address. ”
Calling for more sensitisation on gender equality in society, the ASHWAN Coordinator explained that gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
“Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
“There has been progress over the last decades as more girls are going to school, more women are serving in parliament and positions of leadership, and laws are being reformed to advance gender equality, despite these gains gaps still remain across all regions and now is the time to stand up for gender equality, ” Agboola advocated.
The Ondo State Head of APIN Health Initiatives, Dr Folake Adurogbola, said the United Nations designated the year 2024’s theme as ‘Invest in women: accelerate progress’ with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment, while the campaign theme for this year is ‘Inspire Inclusion.’
While expressing concern over the prevailing harsh economy, Adurogbola declared that women must engage themselves in positive ventures such as business, skills acquisition and meaningful ideas that will propel them to higher ground.
She said, “Our women can’t afford to be lazy at this time because we know the economic situation in Nigeria is biting hard, so, this is not the time for women to sit down and expect the man to take responsibility 100%. They should also do something. Even, if it involves selling pure water, hawking it. They must be seen to contribute to the family and it will ease the burden on the home and the man that is the sole provider for the home.
“You can’t afford to be a housewife at this time, even if your husband says he doesn’t want you to work, try to do something while at home. There are lots of stay-at-home jobs now on the internet. Take advantage of technology, and social media to sell your products and support our homes. This is not a time for excuses.
Besides, Dr Adurogbola noted that investing in the health and well-being of women and girls first requires adequate investment in health overall
Also speaking at the event, the representative of the PIND Public Health Initiatives, Adijat Suraju, called for the participation of more women in walks of life to help close the huge gender disparity in society.
Suraju said “Let’s celebrate women in government, technology, and digital settings to mention a few and let’s give room for more participation of women in all works of life to help close the huge gender disparity.
“Gender equality enables and accelerates women’s equality and empowerment and can define how women’s involvement, participation, leadership and collective actions can make a difference for the women, their children and the entire universe as women are generally multipliers.
“In addition, this action calls for drive progress towards gender equality, equity and empowerment through the power of collective action by the women, for the women and with the women, all across the globe”.
