The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Nonye Soludo, has called for stronger efforts toward empowering women, urging them to participate actively in leadership and political processes to shape their future.
Soludo made the call in a statement on Sunday to commemorate International Women’s Day celebrated globally on March 8.
She said the progress of any society depends largely on the well-being and inclusion of women, stressing that empowering women ultimately benefits entire communities.
“I feel proud not only to be a woman but also to understand the vital role womanhood plays in the development of both the home and society,” she said.
According to her, conversations about improving the conditions of women and girls have continued for decades through seminars, research, advocacy, and protests, but the desired impact has remained limited.
“For years, there have been countless discussions about improving the lives of women and girls. However, genuine progress often appears slow, which makes it necessary for us to rethink our strategies,” she said.
Soludo emphasised that women must begin to take leading roles in discussions and actions concerning their rights and opportunities.
“The time for women to remain on the sidelines has passed. Women must now take their place at the centre of conversations and actions that shape their destinies,” she said.
She also encouraged women who have an interest in politics to step forward and participate in decision-making processes.
“If we want meaningful change, women must be present where decisions are made. I encourage women who have the passion for politics to step forward as agents of change,” she added.
Soludo commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for proposing legislation aimed at increasing women’s representation in the National Assembly.
She described the proposal as an important step toward ensuring fair representation and giving women a stronger voice in governance.
“This initiative is commendable because it offers an opportunity for more women to participate in governance and advocate for issues that affect millions of women across the country,” she said.
She further suggested that similar provisions should also apply to state Houses of Assembly to expand opportunities for women in politics.
Speaking on women’s protection and equality, Soludo said empowering women involves creating environments where they can grow and succeed without discrimination or abuse.
“Empowerment means giving women and girls equal opportunities to thrive while protecting them from harassment, exploitation, discrimination, and other forms of injustice,” she said.
She added that women have consistently shown strong leadership whenever given opportunities to serve.
Highlighting initiatives in Anambra State, Soludo said the current administration has implemented policies aimed at improving women’s welfare.
According to her, these include free education from primary to secondary school, free antenatal and delivery services, cervical cancer screening programmes that have benefited thousands of women, and the establishment of a special magistrate court to handle gender-based violence cases.
She also noted that more women now occupy strategic positions in the state government, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to inclusive leadership.
Soludo further explained that her non-governmental initiative, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, focuses on promoting women’s health and encouraging them to become active contributors to societal development.
“Through our programmes, we encourage women to prioritise healthy lifestyles and community engagement. Many women are already leading fitness and community programmes across the state,” she said.
She urged women to work collectively with a shared vision to amplify their voices and create sustainable change.
“When one woman is empowered, an entire generation benefits. Our efforts must go beyond advocacy and translate into practical actions that improve the lives of women and girls,” she added.
