Speeches

African Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Regional Training Institute

Jun 8, 2009 - Let me start by commending The Young Women’s Christian Association of Nigeria (YWCA) for hosting this event that recognises, appreciates and seeks to enhance the creative and nurturing role of the woman for the safety and security of our communities. Much more praiseworthy in this initiative is its global dimension given that delegates are attending from 31 affiliate bodies in Africa, the Middle East and the European Union. This constitutes a pool of diverse views and experience which can only enrich the conference and strengthen the organisation to continue to play its creative role of developing the potentials and qualities of women through capacity building programmes such as we are here to attend today.

I am therefore, delighted to be in your midst today and I am confident that you will give serious considerations and commitment in handling the theme of this regional training institute: African Women Creating Safe and Secure Communities.

In almost every country in the world, among many world organisations and non- governmental organisations, the awareness and commitment to the cause of empowering the woman with her legal, constitutional and human rights has reached a feverish height impacting on every aspect of the society. But when an organisation such as the YWCA, composed of members who know where the shoe pinches, shows concern, it gives a powerful ring to the universal concern and commitment to empowering the woman. This is why I find your choice of sub-themes on enhancing the capacity of the YWCA to strengthen the response to HIV and AIDS; sexual and reproductive health rights, and violence against women very powerful method of getting to the root of the challenges facing the woman and providing the solutions.

Indeed the globalisation of ideas and products has come with the need for all of us to realise that we have to work together, to offer assistance to one another and get together often to seek solutions to challenges that threaten our common heritage as human beings regardless of race, creed and sex. HIV /AIDS affects all classes of people but the most vulnerable group is the woman and the unborn child and children, particularly so because of the complex laws and regulations that discriminate against them, especially in developing countries. The same can be said of domestic violence against women which is prevalent in all countries of the world. Drugs and treatment for HIV/AIDS are being provided at subsidized cost by most governments and laws are being enacted and passed by the relevant authorities. But we must continue to generate and sustain awareness; we must continue to enhance and strengthen the capacity of relevant organisations such as the YWCA to make the necessary impact.

The Lagos State government welcomes and supports this training institute and expects that the outcome of this forum would be made available to us. As a government that responds to the yearnings and inspirations of our people, we have made policies and implemented programmes that deal frontally with the HIV/AIDS challenges. Apart from making health free for our mothers and children in all our hospitals where quality treatment are offered to patients, we have created the relevant agency that is attached to the office of the governor. Besides enacting and enforcing the relevant laws dealing with violence, we have also gone ahead to empower the women by financing their small scale businesses under our Micro-Finance scheme.

At this juncture, I wish to say that this African Regional Training Institute, which you are hosting in this centre of excellence for the first time in your three hundred and three years of existence, is a source of pride to us. Not only for its value in highlighting and seeking solutions to challenges that our women face almost on a regular basis but also for its socio-cultural importance for the State. To those of you coming into this country and the state for the first time, I ask you to find time to enjoy our beaches, good food and the warm hospitality of our people.

It is now my pleasure to declare this first African Training Institute open to the glory of God, the continuous growth and progress of YWCA and the benefit of humankind.

I thank you all for listening.

“Eko O ni baje!"

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN
Governor of Lagos State