The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for gender equality as he, alongside his wife and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bolaji Cecilia Dada, led the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration. Under the theme ‘Accelerate Action’, the event stressed the urgent need to move beyond rhetoric and implement tangible measures to empower women.

At the 2025 IWD celebration, participants from the 20 local government areas and 57 LCDAs received a climate stove to promote stress-free cooking.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his address, highlighted the global significance of IWD and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, a landmark document for women’s rights. “This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ serves as a clarion call to move beyond rhetoric and take bold, decisive steps toward achieving gender equality,” he stated.

He detailed Lagos State’s commitment to bridging the gender gap through deliberate policies and initiatives. Programs like ‘HE for SHE’ aim to foster inclusivity, ensuring women are not just seen but empowered.

“The state has invested heavily in skills acquisition centers and the Women Development Centre, providing free training to equip women for economic independence.

“Our policies are dedicated to protecting women from gender-based violence while also creating opportunities for them to assume leadership roles,” Sanwo-Olu stressed, noting the facilitation of credit and entrepreneurial support for female entrepreneurs.

He called for collective action, urging men to join the movement for gender equality. “True progress requires collective action because gender equality is a societal imperative,” he said.

The governor commended his wife, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, for her advocacy in maternal and child healthcare and expressed gratitude to his deputy and other officials for their support.

He warned that achieving gender parity at the current pace could take over five generations, demanding urgent action


https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/iwd-2025-lagos-rallies-for-womens-empowerment/