By Joy Omagha Idam
Women have been urged to free themselves from limiting beliefs and harmful cultural practices that hinder their progress, as stakeholders continue to advocate equal opportunities and stronger family values in Nigerian society.
The Functioning Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Ministry of Information, Comrade Mrs Stella Macaulay, made the call during a one-day seminar organised by the Stand Up for Women Society (SWS), Delta State Chapter, as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration in Asaba.
Speaking as a guest speaker at the event themed “Call to Action: Breaking the Chains; Pathway to Equal Justice,” Macaulay expressed optimism that women’s voices on critical issues are gradually gaining recognition. She stressed that achieving gender equality requires sustained efforts and vigilance.
She condemned socio-cultural stereotypes that portray the girl-child as a burden whose primary role is to serve the male gender as a wife, mother and caregiver, often at the expense of her personal ambitions and dreams.
According to her, several harmful practices continue to limit the potential of women and girls in society. These include Female Genital Mutilation, discriminatory widowhood rites, and the preference for male children in some communities.
Macaulay also identified other barriers to women’s advancement such as limited access to education for girls, inadequate healthcare services, unequal employment opportunities in some professional sectors, and policy or legislative gaps that discriminate against women.
She, however, urged women to prioritise their well-being, stressing that maintaining a healthy mental state is crucial for them to effectively carry out their roles within the family.
“You have to be in the right mental state to continue to be a good mother to your children, a supportive wife to your husband and a responsible member of your extended family,” she said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson of the Stand Up for Women Society, Delta State Chapter, Mrs Oluoma Patrick-Lynde, explained that the organisation focuses on improving the welfare of women and the girl-child.
She noted that the group is committed to educating women about their rights within their homes and communities, while also encouraging them to develop themselves and make meaningful contributions to their families and society.
Also speaking at the seminar, the Chairperson of the Working Fingers Initiative, Mrs Eris Jewo Ibi, addressed participants on the topic “Pathway to Justice for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence.”
She highlighted that the Delta State Violence Against Persons law criminalises all forms of violence against women, emphasising that justice goes beyond punishing offenders.
According to her, justice also involves restoring the dignity of survivors and empowering them to rebuild their lives.
While acknowledging that men can also be victims of domestic violence, Ibi noted that available statistics indicate that about 95 percent of survivors are women.
She explained that victims have access to various support channels including Police Gender Desk Officers, Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC), as well as community reporting structures such as non-governmental and faith-based organisations.
Ibi further recommended economic empowerment programmes for women, noting that financial hardship in low-income households often contributes to domestic conflicts and violence.
Participants at the seminar shared different perspectives on the causes of domestic violence and broken homes but agreed on the need to restore African family values, promote responsible parenting by both fathers and mothers, and ensure equal opportunities for both the girl-child and the boy-child within the family system.