The International Women Communication Centre (IWCC) has urged the government to take a bold step to address environmental and gender-related challenges.
This is part of communique issued at the end of a one-day training session for media personnel in Kwara State.
Participants emphasized the need for policies discouraging deforestation, promoting tree planting, and ensuring access to affordable clean energy.
They also advocated the introduction of an “Operation Feed Yourself” initiative to enhance food security and the return of local sanitary inspectors (Wole Wole) to improve public hygiene.
Addressing sanitation concerns, the IWCC highlighted the urgent need for more public toilets to curb open defecation and improve public health.
The meeting noted that inadequate sanitation facilities contribute to the spread of diseases and called for immediate government intervention.
Participants stressed that improving public hygiene infrastructure would significantly reduce health risks and promote a cleaner environment.
On gender-based violence, the IWCC called for the criminalization of ritual killings and urged religious leaders to promote morality while discouraging materialism in their preachings.
They also emphasized the need to educate male children on the implications of gender-based violence and recommended the introduction of guidance and counseling programs in schools curriculum.
The group advocated the importance of good co-parenting and the regulation of social media content that promotes ritualism and harmful social vices.
The meeting reviewed the achievements of the Beijing Conference, 30 years after its held, noting progress in girl-child education, women’s political representation, and economic empowerment.
However, concerns were raised over the persistent rise in gender-based violence, the increase in single motherhood, high youth unemployment, and the failure to meet the 35% benchmark for women’s political appointments.
Participants acknowledged that while gains had been made, more efforts were needed to bridge existing gaps.
To address these challenges, the IWCC called on the United Nations and other global organizations to invest more in women’s economic empowerment.
They also urged stronger measures to boost women’s participation in politics and leadership roles, emphasizing that sustained global and local efforts are necessary to achieve gender equality and inclusive development.
