HeForShe Members, Meet to Strategize on creating a more equal world
The Coordinators of the HeForShe Network in Benue State Mr Nathaniel Msen Awuapila and Prof. Armstrong M. Adejo and members of the HeForShe Network, breaking the bias .
By Prosper Okoye –
Benue State’s chapter of the HeForShe Network has on Friday, met in Makurdi, to strategize on effective ways of creating a more equal world between the male and female gender.
“Members of HeForShe Network in Benue State have been advocating through various platforms since the inception of the program, that women are also human beings like the men; with the capacity to play relevant roles.” Said Mr Nathaniel Awuapila, Coordinator of Benue state HeforShe Network.
“This meeting is a show of commitment to our course, and with our conversations, a lot has been noted on how to go about implementing the second phase of the project.”
Mr. Nathaniel called on the public to join the global movement, by registering on the movement’s website: htpp://www.HeForShe.org/en.
Professor Armstrong Adejo, in his remarks, noted that the HeforShe Network is a voluntary work that would bring about a new world system, where women would be seen as relevant aspects of society.
He disclosed that as part of the strategy for the second phase of the project, schools within the local government area structures would be adopted, as center where campaign advocacy and gender orientation messages would be disseminated.
Prof. Adejo further advised the newly inducted members to educate themselves on the mission and vision of the project, using the online available tools, in order to effectively and efficiently “remove the veils” that have covered the eyes of the people for so long, from seeing the need for a gender-equal society.
Picture 1: Professor Armstrong M. Adejo giving words of encouragement to members during the meeting. Picture2 :Barr. Joseph M. Gbagyo Briefing members of the network on the UN Women Stakeholders meeting held on the 25th March, 2022.
“Development which is the improvement of the human person can be achieved only when we commit ourselves to the task of actualizing it,” he said.
Presentation of HeForShe T-shirt to the newly inducted members by the Coordinators Mr. Nathaniel Msen Awuapila, Prof. Armstrong M. Adejo and His Royal Highness Chief T.J Ihwakar.
Speaking, Chief Justine Ihwakar, urged members to begin the gender equality task in their homes, organizations and their immediate environment.
“Make sure your girl child and your wife are included in your meetings, so they can make their contributions.”
While giving a brief of the second phase of the project, Joseph Gbagyo noted that it is a consolidation of the first phase of the project which ended in 2021.
According to him, “on the 25th day of March 2022, gender equality stakeholders including HeForShe members were invited by the UN women through the coordinating ministry, Benue state ministry of women affairs, and was taken through the second phase of the project, after showing the miles stone recorded on the first phase by the UN Women team, led by Peter Mancha and Bukola Adelehin.”
He said that Benue state enjoyed accolades from the UN Women team for being one among the 14 states in Nigeria that have launched the ‘State Action plan,’ and also among the four states selected to participate in the second phase of the project in Nigeria.
Barr. Joseph added that during the meeting, Prof Armstrong Adejo, a Coordinator of the HeForShe Network, made a statement of commitment, that Benue State HeForShe network would support the second phase of the project, through knowledge and experience sharing, sustainability of campaigns and advocacy, conversation and volunteer of expertise to help develop the National Action plan as part of the activities for the Second Phase of Programme on Women, Peace and Security.
He also thanked the Norwegian Embassy and UN Women for making the HeForShe Network members part of her stakeholders in Phase two of the project.
Highlights of the meeting were the induction of new members into the network. And, the unanimous selection of Joseph Mtemdoo Gbagyo and Thomas Yange of Radio Benue to serve as Secretary and Public Relations Officer respectively.
