By: Rekpene Uket
Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs has successfully hosted the South -South Zonal Pre-Council meeting in preparation for the Up-Coming 24th Regular National Council on Women Affairs meeting scheduled to hold in August,2024 at Jos, Plateau State.
Speaking in her key -note Address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom who was represented by the Director, Women Development, Mrs Monica Udam thanked the participants who from the various states within the south -South Zone.
The Commissioner stated that the essence of the meeting was to review draft memoranda from the various states within the zone for the final presentation at the 24th Regular National Council on Women Affairs.
Hon. Irom urged participants to bring their wealth of experience to bare in order to raise standardized memoranda that will fly at the Regular National Council on Women Affairs. She also wished the participants a peaceful and fruitful deliberations.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Mary Theresa Agede Ebe
urged the participants to take advantage of the calm and serene environment of the state to make useful contributions that will be of benefit to the south -South Zone noting that Cross River State, "the People's paradise" is known for hospitality and tourism.
She wished them a happy stay and fruitful deliberations.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs who was represented by Mrs Regina Osaji emphasized that the Pre-Council meeting is a veritable platform for formulating relevant policies, programmes and activities on women and children Development as well as care and support for the vulnerable population of the society.
She maintained that these policies and programmes should support Presidential Priority Areas as well as the Ministry's Deliverables. She therefore highlighted the thematic Areas to include; Gender Mainstreaming, Women Empowerment, Promotion of Child's Rights, Care/Support for the Vulnerable as well as Social Protection.
She also highlighted Presidential Priority Areas to include; Improved Livelihood, Improved Security, Access to Capital, Inclusivity, Fairness and the Rule of Law, Ending Poverty, Anti-Corruption amongst others.
Highpoint of the event was the Review of Memoranda from the various states and presentation of the Template for submission of memoranda to the National Council on Women Affairs .
