Cultural Practices Impede Women's Progress in Nigeria, Says Abubakar

Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has asserted that cultural and traditional practices in some societies impede women's progress in the country.

The governor represented by his deputy, Nuhu Gidado, made this assertion on Thursday at the commemoration of this year's International Women's Day organised by the wife of the governor, Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar held at state Government House banquet hall.

He lamented that women in Nigeria are relegated to the background and are scarcely given the opportunity to prove their worth.

"Due to some cultural inhibitions, many conventions, treaties and protocols were adopted to address such negative tendencies and to put gender issues on the front burner," he said.

Earlier, the wife of the governor and convener of the occasion, Hadiza, explained that the occasion was aimed at raising awareness and consciousness of the people to the plight of women as well as initiating responsive programmes and activities to bridge gender gaps.

According to her, this year's theme: ‘Press for Progress’, calls for collective action of both men and women, young and old to push gender agenda forward considering the fact that women are still left behind in many facets of human development.

“I therefore call on you all gathered here for the purpose of celebrating the International Women’s Day to move with boldness as we give our collective support to the realisation of full potential of women across the world,” she noted.