Stakeholders want standalone goal for women empowerment

This was made known at the ongoing 58th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) which they said is key to the global quest for sustainable development.
Speaking at the event with the theme, “Realising Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Africa: Achievements and Challenges in the Implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and Lessons for the Post 2015 Development Agenda”, Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, represented by the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zainab Maina, stated that the empowerment of women and girls as well as related issues of gender equality must be given priority attention beyond the MDGs.
 “In crafting this MDGs successor framework, Africa must not lose focus as it canvasses for a standalone gender goal for inclusion in the post-2015 agenda.”
While the task ahead is daunting and the challenges obvious, I am hopeful and have no doubt looking across this hall that we all have what it takes to chart a common front that will ensure that the interests and priorities of African women and girls take centre place in the Post-2015 Development Framework,” Mrs Jonathan stated.
In a statement issued by the Head, Information and Communication in the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr Christopher Otabor, the first lady added that Nigeria has within the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan exceeded the international recognised 35% affirmative action as well as created the enabling environment for women in elective positions at federal, state and local government levels.
In her remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr Precious Gbeneol, stated that the world in general and Nigeria in particular cannot achieve a world of dignity for all until there is an end to the challenges of gender inequality in all its forms.