By Gom Mirian, Abuja 

The Federal Government, Christian Aid and other concerned civil society organizations (CSOs) have stressed the need for collective efforts in the fight against gender inequality in Nigeria. 
This was disclosed at the inaugural gender justice conference with the theme “Transformative Gender Justice as Panacea for Sustainable Development” organised by Christian Aid in Abuja on Tuesday.

 
The Honourable Minister of women affairs, Mrs. Dame Pauline Tallen, said to address the issue of gender inequalities in the country deliberate efforts must be channeled on gender justice in order to achieve gender equality. 
Mrs. Tallen, represented the principal Community development Centre in the ministry, Mrs. Julie Akharia, added that all hands must be on deck in resolve to have a Nigeria where every person is treated equally without any form of prejudice. 
She said “The Federal Ministry of women affairs believed strongly that the gender justice cannot be achieved without gender equality. 
“Women, Girls and other vulnerable groups must be given their rightful place as well as the opportunities to contribute in the socio-political and economic development process of our dear nation. 
“It is in the light of the forgoing that the ministry has over the years passionately promotes gender equality by investing in the well-being of women/girls and other vulnerable groups; Educate them on their rights, empower them economically, provides psycho-social supports, and building the capacities of gender actors including the law enforcement against it in dispensation of justice “, Tallen said.
While commending the organizers for their advocacy in ensure inclusion for all, Tallen urged them to co-opt local communities and persons in in the rural areas and inner cities of urban centres where much of the population of the discriminated against are located in the struggle. 
Speaking at the event, Country Director, Christian Aid Nigeria, Mr. Temitope Fashola, identified poverty as an injustice and an outrage against humanity, said the organization is determined to end this in the country. 
According to him, lasting solutions to poverty must be built on actions to tackle imbalances of power and on the agency of people living in poverty as well as movements for change. 
“Actions to tackle the direct and structural causes of poverty hinges on people’s ability and commitment to speak out against injustice. 
” As an organization that exists primarily to end poverty, we work with individuals and groups to empower, harness and build movements for change that will enable people, especially the most vulnerable to speak out and challenge systems and structures that perpetuate poverty and injustice. 
“A key part of this is through seeking to be gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) transformative in all our programmes”, Fashola added. 
In the same vein, the country Director, PLAN International, Usie Charles Emmamuzou, stressed that to effectively achieve economic growth and development the wide imbalances that exists between genders in the country must be sincerely addressed by both all
He said” investing in improved gender and social outcomes for women, girls and marginalized excluded groups is not only a human rights issue, but makes for economic gains, promote sustainable growth, peace and improved health for the next generation of our beloved country “, he said