Don seeks end to unfair traditions hindering women’s emancipation

Prof. Deborah Odejimi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada in Edo has called for an end to  obnoxious laws and traditions that deny women access to critical resources for economic emancipation.

Odejimi, who specialises in Finance and Economic Development made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Okada.

She called immediate advocacy to end intolerable laws that have hindered women from contributing to economic growth.

”My personal studies over the years revealed that women are not given a fair playing ground in spite of their prominent roles in economic development.

”Hindering women access to loan facilities, land use and other supports of various levels of government, are responsible for the high rate of poverty among the folks.

“Oxfam report on gender inequality shows that women represent up to 79 per cent of Nigeria’s rural labour force while men make up 21 per cent.

“Yet, the men are five times more likely to own land than women.

“No doubt, women cannot fully contribute to economic growth if the right policies and implementation strategies specifically geared towards them are not put in place to address discriminate practices in Nigeria,” she said.

The deputy vice-chancellor said it was high time for the nation to end unfair laws, policies and strategies that hindered business performance of women in Nigeria, particularly in the rural area.