Dabota Jumbo advocates for gender parity as panacea for development

A female politician from Bonny Local Government Area, and technocrat, Dabota Jumbo PhD, says investing in women is critical in achieving the United Nations Development Goals ( UNSDGs), which will foster development and social justice.

Jumbo gave the charge as a keynote Speaker, during a programme organised by the Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day Celebration, IWD, with the theme: Invest in Women, accelerate progress’, in Port Harcourt the State Capital.

Citing statistics from the UN, she said gender disparity persists, with one out of every ten women living in extreme poverty and facing legal, economic and social inequalities.

Jumbo, who was the House of Assembly Candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 General elections, proposed strategies such as access to education, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship support and closing the gender pay gap as panacea to gender disparity.

Prioritising these investments in women, according to her, can accelerate progress towards gender equality, thereby fostering a more inclusive and prosperous world.

She said the theme of this year’s IWD underscores the transformative impact of women’s empowerment, urging continual investment in women to ensure a brighter future for all.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, expressed the readiness of his administration to continue to embark on gender friendly policies for the advancement of the State.

he further reiterated that his administration has put policies in place to empower women as well as fight discrimination against women at all levels.

On her part, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Roseline Uranta, encouraged women to engage themselves in self enhancing ventures and desist from gossips and other vices inimical to their well-being and societal good.