Eliminating gender discimination will contribute to Gdp – Patience Jonathan

The First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, said in Abuja on Thursday that eliminating gender discrimination in relation to jobs could increase women's income and contribute to national GDP.

Jonathan made the statement at a one-day "National Forum on Mainstreaming Gender in Governance'', organised by the National Orientation Agency and the National Centre for Women Development (NCWD).
Quoting from World Bank reports, the wife of the president said it was evident that the inclusion of women in national development must be accorded special attention.
"Research findings indicate that eliminating gender discrimination in relation to job and salary can both increase women's income and contribute to national GDP.
"Additionally, gender inequality reduces the productivity of the next generation.
"According to these findings, there is mounting evidence that the increase in women's well-being results in productivity gains in the future,'' she said.
Jonathan said women's inclusion in governance was important.

She said, "we must keep up the momentum of socio-political and economic inclusion by ensuring that women are part of the decision making process.
"To achieve this we must continue to institute campaigns and policies for gender mainstreaming at all levels of governance.''
The Director-General of NCWD, Ms Onyeka Onwenu, in an address of welcome, said "the Nigerian woman has proven her mettle that she is capable in any situation she finds herself.''

Onwenu said it was pertinent that gender was mainstreamed across government.
"This is why we must applaud the first lady who has unapologetically strategised and pushed the gender issue by advocating for women at every opportunity.''
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a game software for children, called FAKAEDU Childcare, was launched at the event.
The software, which contains 100 stages, teaches children and adults childcare, health and other important factors on growth.
NAN