Mrs Adebola Kolawole, Chairman, Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), Lagos Branch, has called on women to show more commitment in their different spheres of live in order to attain success.
Kolawole made the call on Tuesday in Lagos at an event to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day (IWD).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was tagged “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow“ with hashtag #Breaking the barrier.
The event was organised by NRCS, Lagos, in collaboration with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
Kolawole said women should disabuse their minds from the notion that they were in competition with men but rather strive to attain their own positions.
She added that to achieve success, women needed to push themselves by being more committed and passionate in their various walks of life.
“Don’t be lackadaisical and say men are the ones there; if we continue to say that the men are the ones there and leave them to it, they will continue to be there,” she said.
Kolawole, however, implored women not to be proud and haughty by disrespecting men when they attained leadership positions because without the support of men, it would be difficult for them to succeed.
Speaking on IWD, Mrs Charity Nweze, Coordinator, Mothers Club, NRCS, said it was an opportunity to celebrate themselves, while bringing issues affecting women to the front burner.
She said it was also a time to sensitise the Red Cross members and their communities on the importance of taking care of themselves, particularly their health.
Also, Mrs Akhere Akran, Vice Chairman, NRCS, Mainland Division, said IWD gave women the opportunity to thrive, showcase themselves, speak up and be heard.
Citing NRCS Lagos, as an example, Akran said having a woman as branch chairman had helped the organisation to thrive because of her ability to sustain interventions.
Mrs Olufunke Anifowoshe, registered nurse, Sebeccly Cancer Care, urged women not to take changes in their health lightly but seek the opinion of experts to ensure their wellbeing.
She urged women to help de-stigmatise diseases by speaking out so that other women could seek help early.
During a panel discussion to highlight some of the plight of women and chart the ways forward, the panelists said gender equality should begin from the home-front.
They urged parents and guardians to ensure that both the boy and girl-child were brought up with the same standards.
The panelists urged women to unite to ensure that they take advantage of opportunities open to them, adding that women should groom others that can succeed them.
