OSOGBO – The Osun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Mofolake Adegboyega, on Saturday called for gender equality in political representation in the country.
Adegboyega made the call at a symposium organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs to mark the 2014 International Women`s Day in Osogbo.
The theme of the symposium is ‘’ Challenges and Achievements in the Implementation of Millenium Development Goals( MDGs) for Women and Girls.’’
The commissioner said to achieve the MDGs, adequate recognition and representation must be given to women in the nation’s political setting .
She commended the state government for giving women opportunity in politics , saying that more needed to be done.
Adegboyega also decried the alarming rate of rape cases in the country and called for stiffer penalties for rapists.
The commissioner urged parents to be alive to their responsibilities by providing adequate care for the girl child.
In her remarks, the state women leader, Mrs Kudirat Fakokunde, urged men to always give adequate support to their wives who are interested in politics.
Fakokunde, who argued that politics should not be left to men alone , said women should be encouraged to contribute to the sustenance of democracy in the country.
Mrs Funmilayo Abdullahi, a women leader for physically challenged persons, said women living with disabilities should be given the opportunity to contribute to the political development of the country.
She said if given necessary support, the physically challenged would contribute meaningfully to the society. (NAN)
