The Chief Medical Director, Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja (FTHL), Dr Olatunde Alabi has called for inclusion of more women in governance across the country.
Alabi made the call on Friday to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration in Lokoja which was organized by the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Kogi State chapter.
Represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) FTHL, Dr Ebune Ojochide, the CMD noted that, women over the years have proved beyond reasonable doubt that, they have the capacity to deliver when given the opportunity to serve at all level.
Alabi said, “We are celebrating with our women MWAN on this auspicious occasion. We appreciate them for their critical role in the family, society and work place. As the theme says, inspire inclusion, invest in women, and accelerate progress is welcome development.
“It is time for all of us to join our voices for more Women to be included in governance because they have the capacity to deliver beyond expectation. Let us all join hand to fight this problem of stereotype, gender inequality and many more.
“If we can do this, we are going to have a better society. Women are the engine room of any nation. Without women, the world can not breath. When someone can’t breath, you know what will happen next. Like we always say, when it is well with a women, it will be well with the family, community and the society at large.
“More needs to be done to give women better opportunities because they are more committed and diligent. Like we say again, if it is well with the family, it is well with the family, society and nation. More opportunities should be given to women even as our society continues to advance”.
In her paper presentation titled ‘inspire inclusion’, a consultant paediatrician FTHL, Dr Patricia Medupin advocated for the creation of a world where all women, regardless of their background, identity, or circumstance, feel valued, empowered, and actively included in every aspect of society.
While explaining that women plays a key role in the socio-economic development of the society, Medupin charged women to rise up to the occasion and stop playing second class citizens.
“In our homes, we must inspire inclusion. We must not be gender biased. If we don’t change the orientation from home irrespective of our gender, we won’t get there. Don’t suffer the males or females. Treat them equally. In our children upbringing, we should address the issue of inequality. When we get it right from home, we won’t go out there to be talking of inequality. We need to practice that inclusiveness right from the home”.
Continuing, the consultant paediatrician with FTHL posited that women could be inspired inclusive hiring, mentorship, pay transparency, networking and leadership buy-in.
“Our bosses must create policies and practices that support work life balance, flexible schedule and other accommodations that make it easier for women to succeed both at work and home. They should provide opportunities for career growth and development.
“Investing in women means equipping them with the resources and opportunities to promote their personal and economic growth, fulfillment, and empowerment.It is a cornerstone for building inclusive and equitable societies. Invest in women’s and girls’ health, well-being, and empowerment in all areas of life. Women inclusion is not a destination, but a continuous process that requires active participation and commitment from all of us.
She, however, commended the management of FTHL for their transparency in the work place irrespective of gender.
Paper was also delivered on the topic ‘Wellness strategies for female health care professionals, nurturing health amidst demands’ by Dr Doris Ehalaiye a consultant family physician with Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja Kogi State.
Earlier in her welcome address, the President, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, (MWAN) Kogi State chapter, Dr Elizabeth Yetunde Owa, who is also a consultant ophthalmologist, pointed out that Women role in the society can not be over emphasized.
“The international women’s day is a day set aside to celebrate women all over the world and their achievement. Everybody knows the role of Women. The theme for this year is inspire inclusion. We are trying to say that we should include Women in all aspect of life. In the area of our homes, places of work, society.
“Let us include women and you will see what we can do in the society. We are also talking about gender equality and empowerment of women. We are just lending our voices so that we will be carried along in all aspect.
“Of course, if you educate a Woman, you will educate a nation. We also want to educate our female health professionals. When we are healthy, the nation will be healthy,” she added.
On the quest for gender equality, the MWAN President said “We know we have been having problem in balancing gender inequalities that we have today. We know that, being a Woman is not easy. We are trying to let our voices to be heard that Women role are invaluable because they need us in the economy, community and different places of work. For example where I worked, Federal Teaching Hospital Lokoja, our Chief Medical Director has been so supportive of women.
“In fact, in his cabinet, he included one of us to be among the management team. We are grateful for that. We are just preaching that include us and you will see that we won’t disappoint. Women has what it takes to do what the Men do. Just give us the opportunity and we will surpass your expectations. In everywhere you find yourself, give the Women chance and we will have a better community”.
It could be recalled that, every year on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD), a day dedicated to recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
On February 28 1909, the Socialist Party of America held the first National Woman’s Day. 19 March 1911 – the first International Women’s Day was marked by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. On March 8 1975, it was designated as International Women’s Day by the United Nation while in 1977 the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as an official UN holiday for women’s right and world peace.
