By Maria Famakinwa

Wife of Ondo State Governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, yesterday decorated 23 women in recognition of their contributions to the social development of the State to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD).

The event which took place in Akure was described by Mrs Akeredolu as an unusual gathering because  “ we live in a society where success is virtually synonymous with manhood”.

She said: “Ours is an environment where women are rarely recognized, let alone celebrated. Not even when she makes equal exploit as the male counterpart. This reality has motivated us  towards identifying deserving heroes amongst us and placing them on the global page for the world to acknowledge.

“This event holds a special significance for me. I speak of a significance whose profundity particularly resonates with me as I stand.  Growing up in a setting encircled by age-long cultural and societal biases against the girl-child is not an experience one would like to reminiscent about. The girl child is conveniently discriminated against. She is pitied while the boy is pampered.”

Mrs Akeredolu while calling other women to support and sustain the fight for women’s right said that in her own capacity as the First Lady, she has been pursuing vigorously and consistently, larger inclusion of women into both elective and appointive positions in Ondo State.

She urged women to make their voices more audible beyond rhetoric and tell the world that women matter. “I have been unflinching in my stand against sexual and gender- based violence,” she said.

Earlier in her welcome address, Ondo State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Julianah Osadahun,  who described the occasion as one of its kind in the State,  congratulated  the awardees and described their recognition as a price for exceptional hard work and uncommon impactful achievements

The Commissioner who urged women to always support one another said: “ We need to celebrate ourselves as women because without us, the world cannot multiply or replenish. Women population is equally too large to be ignored.

“We cannot be celebrating IWD and fail to talk about the NASS repulsive legislation, women have reacted in unity and their decision was reversed.  This is why we must come together to fight for our cause.  As 2023 election draw near, we should work to support women who have interest in vying for any political position.”

In her key note address, Prof (Mrs) Adebukola Osunyinkanmi,  described gender as a set of rules adopted by a member of a society to show that male were superior to women. While charging women to speak with one voice revealed that one of the challenges womenfolk was  facing today was  caused by women. She cited the limited number of women in the Senate and House of Representatives as example.

One of the beneficiaries Princess Omowumi Ohwovoriole in her  response thanked Mrs Akeredolu for the honour done  her and  promised to continue to contribute her quota to the development of the state.