Bukola Olamona

The Nigeria Associations of Women Journalists, Ondo State chapter, has called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to include more women in his cabinet to promote gender equality,  fairness and inclusion.

Ondo NAWOJ made the call in commemoration of this year’s International Women’s Day, (IWD ) with the theme “Inspire Inclusion”.

In a statement jointly signed by the state Chairperson, Comrade Tola Gbadamosi and state Secretary, Comrade Oluwatosin Ighoteguono, the association posited that gender diversity in leadership promotes better innovation and governance.

The association noted that democracy cannot be completely entrenched until women are included in electoral process and governance.

NAWOJ urged government and relevant stakeholders to ensure that the economic disparities which persist between men and women globally is phased out by making commitments to promote gender equality and economic inclusion.

It also stressed the need for government to as a matter of urgency expand childcare places for working parents and support private members’ bills to make changes to employment laws to favour the womenfolk.

The association also suggested that there must be women economic empowerment, recruiting, retaining and developing female talent, helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health, involving women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security as well as providing women and girls with access to quality education and training.

It condemned discrimination against women, calling on all organizations, groups, and individuals to play their part  in the community, at workplace and home to ensure women are adequately included in decision making process.