Anambra State Library Takes Int'l Women's Day Celebration to Ukpo Community

By Izunna Okafor

Women have been advised to be hardworking, resilient, and ensure proper up-bringing of the children, as a way of building a better society, being self-reliant and reducing incidences of crime and other vices in the society.

The Director of Anambra State Library Board, Dr. Nkechi Udeze gave the advice during a one-day event organized by the Library, to mark the 2022 International Women's Day.

Speaking at the event which held at Orie Market in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, the Director, who frowned at men who regard women as nothing, reminded the participants that times were past when women's education was seen as one that ends in the kitchen. 

She highlighted some of women who have proved and continued to prove that gender is not a barrier to any educated and outstanding woman who wants to attain greater height and status in the society.

"Women have many roles to play in every society; and for you to successfully play these roles as a woman, you need to be hardworking, prayerful, resilient, and of good character"

Earlier in her opening remarks, Mrs. Cordelia Obalum who praised the women for coming out en masse to participate in the event, advised them to always avail themselves for such knowledge-filled program, than attending only political rallies and events where only money or material things would be shared to them.

Contributing, an indigene of the community and first female Professor of Mass Communication in Sub-saharan Africa, Prof. Stella Okunna acknowledged that there are certain cultures that sideline and make women lose confidence in themselves, but urged women to look beyond such challenges and endeavour to make themselves relevant and contribute meaningfully to societal development. 

While frowning at some Nigerian men who see women or their success as a threat to them, she reminded such men that women are not asking for equality with men.

“It is not within our culture and religion to ask for equality with men; we only asking for equity. In all these, we are asking for just 45%, the men can have 55%. And they shouldn't discourage us. We will keep on working consistently hard to contribute to the development of the society, and of course we're already doing that,” she said.

Earlier in her lecture, the Keynote Speaker at the event, Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye explained the significance of the International Women's Day, which is celebrated annually on March 8, and said time was past when women were relegated to the background. She advised the women to believe in themselves, discover and use their God-given wisdom, talent and potentials to work hard to support their families and contribute to societal developments, rather than being dependent on men or seeing themselves as those who have no say or anything to offer.

While dissecting the this year's theme of the event, “Gender Equality Today for Sustainable Tommorow”, Prof. Nwokoye faulted some misconception and erroneous interpretations usually given to gender equality, and challenged the women aspire for greater heights and higher status in the society, as well as improve their relevance and impact, for a sustainable tomorrow.

In a vote of thanks, one of the participants at the event, Mrs Evelyn Okoye extolled the Library for marking the event with them in their hinterland, which she said, shows that the library indeed has the interest of their community and the entire public at heart. She pleaded for sustenance of the synergy between the Library and the community, even as she urged the women to internalise and put into practise everything they were taught at the event.

First celebrated in 1911, International Women's Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8, to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. It is also a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women.