Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Alix-Ida Mussavu
Published on 2024-03-07 09:08:35
Similar to the international community, Gabon will celebrate International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, 2024. Delivering her speech, Nadine Nathalie Awanang Anato, Minister of Social Affairs, assured that the country is committed to “consolidating and increasing the promotion and protection of Gabonese women in the transition process.”
March 8th. The date is historic and this year, 2024, Gabon joins the rest of the world in celebrating International Women’s Rights Day. This day, as the Minister of Social Affairs reminded, has its roots in the courageous struggles of women workers in Europe and the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, fighting for social equality. According to Nadine Nathalie Awanang Anato, the theme of this year, “Investing in women, accelerating the pace,” aligns with and she is committed to “Consolidating and increasing the promotion and protection of Gabonese women in the transition process.”
Since its accession to international sovereignty, the government official recalled, the country has been committed to respecting international standards in women’s rights. From the quota law to the revision of the civil and penal codes, she listed, “everything is done to guarantee peaceful social emancipation for women.” They continue, so to speak, to occupy key positions both in the administrative apparatus and in the political sphere. “They can proudly recognize themselves through the trust placed in many of us to play essential roles in the institutional management of our country,” commented Nadine Nathalie Awanang Anato.
Challenges to overcome
However, she said, “challenges persist.” The government is therefore committed to implementing holistic policies, strengthening positive cultural norms, supporting girls’ education, and fighting resolutely against gender-based violence. “The 1991 Constitution and the Transition Charter guarantee equality for all citizens before the law,” she noted, highlighting that awareness initiatives are being deployed in this regard, but increased efforts are needed to reach all Gabonese women. “This year’s theme calls for continued mobilization to promote women’s rights,” she declared.
She believes that this theme underscores the importance of investing in women to drive socio-economic progress. Gabon aspires, so to speak, to a future where women play a central role in all aspects of society, hence its propensity to strengthen resources for training, access to financing, and create a supportive environment. “Let us unite our efforts to build a future where gender equality is a tangible reality, where women’s rights are vigorously defended, and where every woman can realize her potential unrestricted,” declared Nadine Nathalie Awanang Anato. She calls for building “a structure of prosperity, inclusion, and sustainability.”
Read the original article(French) on Gabon Review
