The below speech was delivered by the President of the National Association of Gbaramatu Female Graduates (NAGFG), Barrister Kenge Itima Iyoroebi at a function in Warri, Delta State, as part of the activities put together by the Association in marking the 2024 International Women's Day (IWD), a mainstream global holiday that is celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement that focuses on issues ranging from gender equality, women's reproductive rights, to violence and abuse against women. Excerpts:

First, I begin this speech by extending my heartfelt appreciation to members of this prestigious body, the Association of Gbaramatu Female Graduate consisting of noble women with origin from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, for making out time to be a part of this year's International Women's Day celebration. Indeed, it is a thing of great joy seeing enlightened women of character and reputation from that neglected region assembling together and advocating through their application of knowledge gained for the rights of women in Gbaramatu Kingdom. God bless the Association of Gbaramatu Female Graduate.

Today, as we gather here to mark the International Women's Day, IWD, whose origin springs from the National Woman's Day that was organised on the 28th of February 1909 in New York City, United States of America by the Socialist Party of America, the IWD as we currently have it has become a mainstream global holiday that is now celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement, most especially after its adoption in 1977 by the United Nations (U.N).

In keeping with the dream of its global initiative, the IWD has continued to focus on issues ranging from gender equality, women's reproductive rights, to violence and abuse against women. This year's (2024) theme, 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress' is to further enhance the place and value of women in society by channeling more resources through empowerment initiative so that women all around the world (Niger Delta women inclusive) could drive role positive change in advancing the progress of their various societies.

Take away the role of women, and the pace of development and growth will slow down. It is indeed no coincidence that one of the popular adages which says that, "When you train a girl child you train a nation" is in reference to the important role that women play in advancing society. Yet, majority of women, especially in the continent of Africa are not given their pride of place but are rather denied opportunities to help in the transformation of their societies.

As a representation of the Niger Delta woman, like her counterparts around the world, she is an asset and a "Super Woman!" Growing up as a child in that region, I have seen how mothers, besides playing their role of caring for the family, also struggled to support the home with little resources at their disposal. And it is the same story for other women in the region, most particularly those in the creeks whose environment posed more constraints than opportunities. Today, having grown up and become a mother and a woman myself, I have come to fully appreciate mothers for their super roles over the ages in advancing their societies.

And so, there are times I begin to wonder what the impact would have been if the Niger Delta woman, who, with very little resources / professional training at her disposal could achieve commendable results, is to be availed with the much needed resources and training. This year's theme which talks about 'Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress' once again brings to the fore the critical need to support and empower the Niger Delta woman, who is an asset and has been playing her role over the ages, in advancing the progress of society the more.

Unfortunately, despite her significant roles in advancing society over the years, the place of Niger Delta women in the society as a positive change agent has been pushed to the background as they have neither been given the right support nor are they seen as an asset to invest on. But Niger Delta women must rise up. While it is true that many have not been carried along in the scheme of things, it is also true that Niger Delta women must also balance the scale by not feeling inferior to her male counterpart, and must also project herself as capably deserving positive attention without fear or fervour. She must cast away self-doubt. She must be willing to push for her rights. She must be determined more than ever despite the existing challenge of gender inequality that is a real phenomenon existing in the society.

Therefore, aligning with this year's theme, it is time for all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to invest in women, more specifically in the Association of Gbaramatu Female Graduate as well as other female groups within if the region must accelerate or make real progress. Trying to ignore the place of women in advancing society by refusing to invest in them is like taking a step forward and then ten steps backward at the same time.

Some might wonder and pose the question, "How do we invest in women?" It's simple! Empower her! Empower the Niger Delta women! Empower women all around the world. Equip them with the needed resources and tools that will magnify their productivity. And in the course of this women empowerment, there should be no limitations. Instead, women should be given free access to pursue their dreams and achieve them without any obstacles. And to those who have always pushed for the relegation of women in the society to the background, know this, women are not your enemies, rather they are the purveyors of life that deserve much respect. They conceive you on the womb, they harbour you for an average of nine months, they bear the pains to transit you from the womb to the world, and then struggled to raise you as mothers even giving up their ambitions in the process. Is your insecurity towards women really worth it?

Lastly, on a more stringent note, I am once again seriously appealing, on behalf of the Association of Gbaramatu Female Graduate, to constituted authorities all over the world, that women should not only be given their fair share of entitlement but they should also be seen as a work-in-progress that constantly need to be re-invested in to continually accelerate rapid progress in society. But asides the call for women empowerment from stakeholders, women should also invest in themselves as well as invest in other women. Women must also come together as exemplified by the Association of Gbaramatu Female Graduate and other female groups in society to connect themselves to opportunities that such a unified approach to push for a common agenda, offers.

Thank you.

God bless the International Women's Day
God bless the Association of Gbaramatu Female Graduate
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

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