In commemorating year 2024 International women’s day, stakeholders in Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA and development partners around the axis joined the whole world to celebrate women and Community Women’s Right Foundation (CWRF) as they intensify actions to inspire inclusion.
Newsconnect reports that CWRF intentionally hosted the auspicious event at the palace of His Royal Majesty Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun The Adegboruwa of Igbogbo kingdom who is not just a He for She, but an ardent supporter of all initiative sponsored by the foundation to inspire inclusion.
The Theme for 2024 International Women’s Day is #inspire inclusion. This theme has further charged advocates of women and girl child to eliminate all forms of gender inequalities in their campaigns.
In his welcome address, the Adegboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom said all traditional rulers in Lagos State are He for She. He said
what they do basically is conflict resolution in the palace.
“70% of these issues are women related issues. We are pleased to be with you, we want to assure you that you have our support any day, any time.
“All women are being advised to think of what you can do legitimately, we promise to give you all the support.
“I want to congratulate all women today, this won’t be the last celebration of international women’s day in our lives. We will do all what we have within our reach to give you the needed support”. He said
The Councillor representing Ward C1 in Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDA who doubles at the deputy leader of the Council, Princess Basirat Adetutu Banjoko
celebrated women worldwide.
In an interview with Newsconnect at the event, she said;
“We celebrate our resilience, we celebrate our power as women. We celebrate every way we have been able to impact one way or the other.
“We are here to sensitize our people, to sensitise each and every woman around the world and let them know the significance of women in our society, to let them know how their impact can be for the society.
“The theme is to inspire inclusion of women be it in politics, in our society, our community and every sphere of life. We are not asking men to shift or move away from the table, we only needed that platform to show them yes we have potentials.
“We can do it, we can make things and turn things around. With us we can have a better place. No woman, no nation. Wherever we have women, we have positivity. We have power, we have actions, we have success, we have results that is why we are here today”.
Princess Basirat charged women to be involved during electioneering periods. She said it is about time women wake up to the reality of now and support each other.
“When it is time for election, why can’t we be involved. It is not just about going in to work or as a working tool, we too can do it.
“As a grassroot lawmaker, we are making our people know and understand that yes we can do it, if we are included. If our men are doing 60%, we can make it 100%.
“As a grassroot lawmaker, we ensure all our bye-laws give room for that inclusion”. She said
The Executive Director Community Women’s Rights Foundation and the Deputy State Coordinator Child Protection Network Lagos State Prince Lateef Kayode Akinborode appealed to all men who are yet to acknowledge the value of women to reflect on all messages pointing to the fact that women are powerful tools, hence, they should be supported and encouraged with leadership positions.
In an interview with Newsconnect at the event, he said;
“I want all men to know that women have value like men. We need to encourage them to become something in life. If we support women to be in political positions, they will do more”. He said
The Project Director Community Women’s Rights Foundation, Deputy coordinator Child Protection LGA Sekinat Oyindamola Adeleke said the reason why they brought women to the palace is because they want them to have access to our royal fathers.
In an interview at the event she said;
“You know this is a community, so if anything happens in a community, the closest person is the royal father. They can easily run and lodged their complains.
“When the royal father was talking, he also opened up and gave them privilege that they could walk into the palace to lodge complain.
“CWRF is doing a lot. We deal with women on a daily basis and as much as we solve their problems, we also impact them. Once they stepped into our office, we make sure they don’t leave the way they came. They are always empowered”. Sekinat asserted.
The Program officer for Good Women Organisation Zainab Zakari talked about her organisation, the essence of collaboration and gave a charge to inspire women inclusion in every facets of life.
In an interview with our correspondence, she said;
“We are here to partner with other organisations on international women’s day to make this drive move forward, so we can have more women supporting women.
“The 2024 theme for international women’s day is inspire inclusion. This means we should include women in whatever we are doing.
“Without women, there is no life. Women are already doing well but we want more women in whatever we are doing”.
The ED Prince Lateef thanked the King for being always supportive. He encouraged him to continue to do the good things he is known for.
“The powerful king is always ready to support and be part of our interventions. He doesn’t wait for money, he doesn’t wait for anything. When you inform him about any program, he will say you are welcome and he would ask when, where and how will it happen.
“My message for the king is to continue to do the good things . The women should know their values, with that, they will achieve their goals”. He concluded.