Edem Archibong: Calabar
Calabar, the Cross River State Capital played host as a total of 22 Progressive Governor’s Wives in Nigeria converge in the state under the umbrella of Nigeria Governors Spouses’ Forum on last weekend and took decision to ensure that the issue of Sexual and Gender Based Voilence is eradicated in their respective States.
This decision is contained in the communique issued at the end of the two days forum to mark its fifth annual retreat which they considered pivotal platform for them to deliberate on what appears realistic to members in 2026.
Apart from deliberations on valuable issues that affects womanhood, they also used the opportunity to connect to each other and share experiences that will help them to build stronger bonds of collaboration, mutual understanding and commitment to national development.
The retreat statement further indicated that the women forum also reaffirmed their commitment to collectives leadership, mutual support and shared learning for the progress and development of this communique to ensure that the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Voilence, Reserved
Seat for Women
Bill initiative and the advocacy for increase women representation in governance is realizeable.
Similarly, the First Ladies also resolved to vigorously advocate for the adoption of Six Months of paid maternity leave in states yet to implement it while promising to engage Executive Governors and State Legislatures to promote the policy for improved maternal and Child welfare across states.
They in addition laid emphasis on the importance of strengthening the routine immunisation programs with particular focus on HPV vaccination, Measles and Rubella immunisation and Hepatitis Screenings while the continuous collaboration with Health institutions and donors agencies is not negotiable.
On the issue of Child Labour in Nigeria, the First Ladies resolved to confront and partner with the Federal Ministry of Labour to resolve the endemic problem while the Presidential Renewed Hope Agenda Roadmap strategy presented to the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President On Women’s Health will be pursued.
End.
