Women across the country, as well as stakeholders involved in policy formulation in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, have converged in Lagos for the 18th Regular National Council Meeting on Women Affairs and Social Development.
The 2018 edition of the annual event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in partnership with its counterparts in States and the private sector, would focus on the promotion of peaceful co-existence across the country and the need for increased vigilance ahead of the 2019 general elections among other issues.
The five-day event hosted at the Academy Hall, Agidingbi, Ikeja with the theme: “Peace, Security and Social Inclusion: Key Building Blocks for achieving Sustainable Development in Nigeria” would also examine essential Policies and Laws that dwell on women issues.
In her address at the event, the Permanent Secretary – Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Abiola Liadi said that the State Government had always prioritised issues that border on women development and empowerment.
Liadi stated that the government was aware that women empowerment was important in achieving peaceful atmosphere both at home and in workplaces, stressing that one of the policy thrusts of the present administration is to ensure a safe, secure and functional State.
She added that it was significant that Lagos State was playing host to the national conference for the first time, assuring the participants that the various paper presentations at the event as well as the technical sessions would enable the delegates from Lagos to gauge the impact of its various gender-based programmes.
The Permanent Secretary added that Lagos is fortunate to have remained one of the safest States in Nigeria, in spite of its huge population, the cosmopolitan nature and other features of a megacity, stressing that crime wave and insecurity have been kept within reasonable limits and adequately checked.
According to her, the meeting is also expected to review some regulations and laws on human trafficking, social welfare, health as well as security and make recommendations to capture new and emerging situations.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Ifeoma Anagbogu described the theme of the event as very apt in view of the challenging situation in some parts of the country.
Anagbogu called on the delegates to be mindful of their roles as policymakers just as she advised them to continue to examine the policies and programmes of government at all levels as it affects women, children, the aged, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable members of the society.Other issues for discussion at the five-day conference include the need to increase the engagement of women and girls as advocates and agents of Peace and Security, the review of the National Child Policy, the development of mechanisms to track the impact of the Home Grown School Feeding Programme in the promotion of the rights of the Child to Education among others.More photos below.
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