Cross River State Has Gone Beyond 35% Affirmative Action – Stella Odey, Commissioner Of Women Affairs

By Ogar Monday

The Cross River State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs. Stella Odey has stated that the Government of  Senator Ben Ayade has more than fulfilled the 35% affirmative action that most governments in the world are being forced to abide by.

The Commissioner who was speaking with CrossRiverWatch in her office stated that with the appointment of over 300 women to hold various political offices in the state, the State government has taken a deliberate step to politically and economically empower women.

Her words, “The vision of the Ministry is to make sure women are emancipated politically, socially and economically. If you look at politically we have done very well. Cross River State has gone beyond the 35% affirmative action that is being agitated for the world over.

“In Cross River State we have over 300 women with appointive positions. That is one of the political gains of this administration, because we have a Governor who is proactive and women sensitive. In his policies, he promulgates policies that are women friendly.”

The Commissioner added that even “In the economic front, we equally have deliberately set up the garment factory that has over 98% of its workforce as women, which we know is a deliberate policy to see how women can be economically viable.

“In terms of economics, we equally have what we term a movement in the Ministry which we call ‘If you train a woman you train a nation movement’. It is a movement where we are embarking on skills acquisition for women and let them know that however educated you are, you still need a skill, because this skill will be able to augment your spouse’s income, it will be able to put food on the table for you.” She said.

Mrs. Odey further added that her Ministry has been working to safeguard the right of women and children through “What is called the Child’s Right Commission which is the first of its kind in the country and with a mandate to look solely into the welfare of children and to tackle issues of molestation and the victimization of children.”

The Commissioner concluded that her Ministry has paid visits to over 7 cottage industries providing different services so as t resuscitate them and provide opportunities for women.