Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has described women as the foundation of life and society.

Speaking during this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration, he called on everyone to support the education of girls, saying it is the best way to fight oppression and discrimination.

Governor Alia praised the efforts of women in different fields, including farming, business, teaching, policymaking, and healthcare. He stressed that without women, families would lack direction, communities would weaken, and the economy would suffer.

He urged men to respect women and never look down on them, recognizing their contributions in all areas of life.

The governor emphasized the theme of this year’s IWD, “Advance Action,” as a reminder that progress towards gender equality is still slow. He highlighted the struggles many women face, such as lack of education, early marriage, and harmful cultural practices. He encouraged all stakeholders to take action to change this situation.

Governor Alia assured that his government supports women, pointing to the many female leaders in his administration. He also announced that the 2025 state budget includes special programs to help women become financially independent.

These include grants and soft loans for women’s cooperative groups to start businesses in farming, trade, and small enterprises.

He urged people to speak up for women who cannot do so themselves and work towards removing barriers that hold them back. He emphasized that investing in women’s education and empowerment is not just the right thing to do but a step towards a better and more prosperous future.