Sanwo-Olu Harps On Gender Equality For Sustainable Development

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stressed the need to ensure that responsibilities and opportunities are given to people irrespective of whether they are born male or female, saying advancement of gender policies would help to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The governor stated this at the WAPA Connect 2022 conference with the theme,’ The Emerging Total Woman’’ organised by the Ministry for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Sanwo-Olu said, “The conference was initiated in pursuance of this administration’s commitment to optimally harness the potentials of both the male and female genders knowing fully that this is the sure path to attaining our full growth and development potentials as a state.

“It is also a testament to the policy of inclusiveness which our administration is strongly committed to upholding. The adopted theme of this year’s conference “The Emerging Total Woman” speaks to the changing dynamics driven by the new thinking of the 21st Century as well as the new challenge women have to overcome to play the role expected of them conscientiously.

“The emerging woman the world is craving is one that is self-aware and determined to overcome stereotypes and unleash her potential to contribute her fair quota to moving society and humanity forward.”

The governor assured that his administration is determined to support, inspire and encourage young emerging women to arrive at their destination against all odds.

Also at the event, the state’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Cecilia Bolaji Dada, said the WAPA Connect is, “One major platform, through which the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation significantly touches the lives of women annually.”

She explained that the conference has become a reverence point to women advocacy on development, adding that the theme, “Will offer the template for strategic thinking towards gearing our women to change, even as it evaluates their rights to economic resources, access to sexual and reproductive well-being, and viable tools for socio-economic growth of Lagos State.”