The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has called on women to proactively strive to realize their potential without succumbing to fear or intimidation.
The state Chairperson of NAWOJ, Nsikak Okon, made this appeal during an event commemorating the 2024 International Women’s Day at the NUJ press center in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State.
Okon emphasized the importance of women taking concrete actions to promote gender equality in their communities, workplaces, and societies. She encouraged them to challenge harmful stereotypes and norms that hinder their quest for equality.
NAWOJ, recognizing the barriers faced by women in achieving their goals, has initiated various programs to empower its members, mentor secondary school girls, and raise awareness about gender-based violence in markets and churches. Okon described investing in women as a potent development tool and commended the efforts of the governor’s wife, Pastor Patience Umo Eno, for promoting women’s participation through her pet project, GIFA.
In her keynote address titled “Inspire Inclusion,” the Keynote Speaker, Nene Afia, underscored the importance of individual and collective efforts by women to break barriers and foster unity to achieve inclusion and equality. Afia highlighted the need for women to collaborate and actively participate in their fields of endeavor, noting the underrepresentation of women in political leadership positions both at the national and state levels.
Comrade Amos Etuk, the NUJ Chairman, acknowledged the hard work of women journalists in the council and emphasized the necessity of integrating women into strategic leadership roles. He pledged to continually assign women journalists prominent and strategic positions under his leadership as the Chairman of NUJ, Akwa Ibom State Council.
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