By Admin:
Grace Orumieyefa, the Chairperson, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists Bayelsa State Chapter has once again advised that empowering women in all strata of the society is the right way to go adding that "if you empower a woman, you empower a nation.
Speaking in Yenagoa during the celebration this year's edition of the International Women's Day, the one woman of NAWOJ Bayelsa State disclosed that women are actually nation builders.
She added that the empowering women helps to better the society calling for more female empowerment programmes to be established .
She however disclosed that as result, NAWOJ had been in the forefront of championing the course of women maintaining that positive results had been witnessed.
She said" Women are society builders and the empowerment of a women will pave the way for the betterment of the society. Hence there is need for female empowerment initiatives in order.
Also speaking, Samuel Numonengi, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists Bayelsa State Council, recounting the role his mother played in his life, observed that the involvement of women in policies is crucial for the development of society.
He advised that more empowerment programmes should be channelled towards the womenfolk to make room for a more better society.
In her Keynote address a veteran Journalist, Florence Kakandar who expatiated on the numerous roles of women in the society and ways of Harnessing their Potentials and Prospects noted that building a positive mindset, improving on emotional mindset, developing willpower are ways to be self reliant.
She also said that cultivating strong social support, aspiring for greatness, setting achievable goals are keys to attaining success adding that knowledge is power and women must desire more knowledge and inspire one another to be self reliant.
Already various women groups had called on women to uncover and build on their potentials in order to withstand the constant inflation and growing economic challenges bedeviling the country.
Taking their turns to speak, they called on government at different levels and various institutions to establish programmes geared harnesing the prospects and potentials of women.
According to them, successful female leaders should create mentorship platforms for female mentees noting that in the area of equality, no gender is greater than the other and women should be given a level playing ground to exhibit their skills and potentials.
The panelists resolved that government and various platforms must give recognition and encouragment to women to improve their potential and enable them birth new phase in the society.
They further called on women to desist from societal norms and traditions which see them l as ess powerful but rather embrace education and entrepreneurship in order to harness their potentials and values.
Women were urged to balance and enhance themselves to live above the economy challenges by embracing the social media to equip, learn new skills and develop themselves.
It was also agreed that diversification and understanding of personal values is key to having a sustainable progress as such there is need to address low participation of women in politics.
The programme which featured a round table discussion, had panelists such as Tariere Egbegi Coordinator
100 Women Lobby Group, Ebidenyefa Nikade, Timinipre Idoko former NAWOJ Zonal Vice President, Mary Bekeowei Executive Director Starrz Safety Initiative, Eunice Nnachi Chairperson ENWAF, Deme Pamoso- Chairperson FIDA and
Beatrice Sikpi.
It also had leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress Women Wing, Search for Common Ground,FIDA, 100 Women Lobby Group, People living with Disabilities,Association of Nigeria,Federation of Muslim Women,MWAN Bayelsa chapter, Bayelsa Women Forum, Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, Eunice Nnachi Women Advocacy Foundation, Police Officers Wives Association, Starzzs Saftey Initiative,DO Foundation and the National Council for Women Societies in attendance.