- VERACITY.COM.NG - A La Une - 17/Jul 12:01

Expert advocates gender equality, says it contributes to economic growth

By Chidinma Ewunonu-AlukoA health expert, Mrs Elizabeth Abimbola has described gender equality as a huge contributor to economic growth.Abimbola, the South-West Regional Coordinator, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Ibadan.She said that gender perspectives should be incorporated into government policies and programmes in order to address specific needs and challenges.The PPFN coordinator further called for investment in education and economic opportunities for women and girls to enhance their autonomy and decision-making capacity.Abimbola said that by promoting gender equality, the society would achieve girl child education, poverty reduction and sustainable development.“Apart from promoting girl child education, gender equality enhances autonomy, decision-making capacity and future opportunities for female children.“Gender equality is a fundamental human right, essential for dignity, respect and social justice for the female gender,” she said.She also said that women empowerment remained critical because it enabled women and girls to make informed decisions about their lives, bodies and health.“Education and economic opportunities enhance women’s and girls’ status, and reduces vulnerability to poverty and exploitation.“Empowerment helps to reduce gender-based violence, it promotes a safer and more equitable society,” she said.According to her, women participation in leadership and decision-making remains crucial to achieving sustainable development and social change.“We need to recognise and address the multiple forms of discrimination and marginalisation that women and girls face,” she said.(NAN)