Plateau State Government says it’s administration is passionate about creating conditions that would unlock the talents, skills and potential of women and girls in the state so that they can live out their dreams and be productive members of society.
Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo who was represented by Mrs Olivia Dazyem, Special Adviser on Gender and Chairperson Implementation Committee of Gender & Equal Opportunities Commission, stated this, at the opening ceremony of the National Training Camp for the Nigeria Girl Guides Association, in Jos
Piyo said,the national camp with the theme “Learn and Lead” was apt as adolescent girls are the face of courage, strength and resilience, powerful change-makers driving progress in their families, schools and communities.
The Deputy Governor noted that equipped with the right resources and opportunities, the world’s 600 million adolescent girls could become the largest generation of female leaders the world had ever seen.
Employment in the 21st century workforce is projected to focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and social entrepreneurship.
At the same time, it is said that scientific and technological solutions will rapidly scale and shape today’s economies and societies, girls and women are falling behind in the digital gender divide with large gaps in digital adoption, access, ability and opportunities to equally benefit from technology and the workforce compared to boys and men.
She said, in many contexts, adolescent girls have no say in decisions that affect them resulting in programmes that do not respond to their specific needs, hindering them from reaching their full potential.
Piyo said the administration’s commitment could be seen in the governor’s sensitivity towards women by picking a female as his deputy and appointment of several other young women and youths in his cabinet.
She added that apart from Plateau State having the Gender and Equal Opportunities Law in place, they have also appointed a Special Adviser on Gender and Chairperson for the Implementation Committee of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission.
She urged girls to take advantage of every legitimate available opportunities to learn so that they can lead.
According to her, without any skill, they may not find the opportunity to participate in development.
Bilkisu kambai/Jos
