By Kelechi Ugo
The Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation,ISWSC in collaboration with US Agency for International Development,USAID just concluded awareness on gender equality in Owerri.
However, the Engendering Industries Team in collaboration with Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation engaged critical stakeholders in an interaction forum on Gender Equality which ended with the referrals to treat everyone equal irrespective of sex and gender.
The interactive training programme was held on Friday,19 May,2023 at Protea Hotel on the theme “male engagement for Gender Equality’ to ensure that every human being is firstly treated as same irrespective of species, male or female.
Speaking, Mr. Alec Jacobson, USAID Engendering Industries Communication and Learning Specialist said that his team are partnering with the Government of Governor Hope Uzodimma through the Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation to take down the message of gender equality to the people and thanked the people for accepting the training as it will go along way to stop some of the anti and ill human treatment in the society based on genders.
Earlier in her remark, Dr. Mrs Blessing Azubuike, Director Gender in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Group Imo State explained in details meaning of gender equality as gender means roles, perception of the society towards the male and female child and how men treats women and the area to make an amendment to ensure a better society for all.
She stated that the Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Group Imo State has done much to ensure gender equality as many obnoxious practices such as widowhood have been abrogated.
It was a marathon interactive training with the USAID Engendering Industries Team, ISWSC, members of civil society organizations, Media Practitioners, Special Citizens and Students in brain- storming on the need for continued public sensitization and awareness creations on the issue of gender equality for a safe society.
Responding, Hon. Engr. Emeka Ugoanyanwu, General Manager Imo State Water and Sewerage Corporation commended the USAID Team and all the participants in the programme and urged them to take the message down to their respective areas starting from the individual homes. He promised that his Corporation will continue to synergies with the USAID Team to ensure that the people receive the best training and experience to curb all forms of ill human treatment through gender equality.
The highlight on the programme was the official decorations of the USAID Team with the special Igbo chieftaincy attire “Isi agu and red cap and wrappers” to Mr. Alec Jacobson, Mr. Cody Ragonese, Mrs Emma Edwards and Mrs Khumo Mokhethi in appreciation for their passionate efforts and humanitarian service.
While a redemption poem song also to entertain the audience was recited by miss Deborah Uchechi Uchenna, ISWSC Brand Ambassador on Gender Equality, Validation and Advocacy.
