Women's Rights Groups and other Advocates across Lagos State have converged on ShopRite and staged a protest match to Ikeja House, Alausa, to present a letter stating the discrimination meted out to a member of Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Natasha Akpoti and demanding justice.
Speaking at the Rally, the Programme Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, Mary George-Peluola, commended the initiative by the Women to stand with Natasha as she battles alleged discrimination and sexual harassment at the National Assembly.
She stressed that " the reason for the celebration is to make women's voices heard and not subdued or silenced, in every decision-making and politics, noting that women's rights are also human rights ".
The Coordinator, Lagos State Chapter of the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists, Nigeria, Ms Kikelomo Oduyebo, assured that the Network would stand with every action to move women forward, reiterating the need to amplify women's voices through the Media, respect as well as protect their rights.
Advocate for Sensitive Issues and the Face of International Women's Day 2025, Bukola Ogundowo, said she joined the Rally to help accelerate action on women's rights and empower them to speak out over injustice being meted to women in Nigeria.
The activists called on well-meaning Nigerians to support women in their quest to climb to decision-making positions where they can add value to national issues.
" Women are not to be degraded, mocked, denied positions or harassed sexually. "We are good at administration, politically and our workplaces. We are no pushovers so don't treat us as one ". They emphasized
The rally, which terminated at the State Assembly gate where women promised to wait until the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, attended to them, took place simultaneously in most states in Nigeria.
