In a bid to promote gender equality and women’s rights in Nigerian sports, the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, has urged stakeholders, communities, and men to open and create more opportunities for Nigerian girls and women in the sports sector.
Dare made this call at the FAME Foundation’s annual women’s football tournament held in commemoration of International Women’s Day on March 8th. He highlighted the need to challenge stereotypes and existing gender disparities that have long inhibited the development of women in sports.
‘We must, as a matter of urgency, ensure that women and girls in sports are given the opportunity to excel and also benefit from all the opportunities that sports offer. We must create an enabling environment and provide the necessary support for them to do so,’ Dare said.
The Minister noted that the government is committed to ensuring that women and girls are not only encouraged to participate in sports but also given equal opportunities to compete and excel.
He also noted that the government has been actively involved in developing and promoting women’s sports, and that it is encouraging corporate organizations to invest in women’s sports in order to foster growth and development.
Dare concluded by stressing the importance of sports in the lives of Nigerian girls and women, and the need to engage more men and boys in the promotion and support of women’s sports.
By encouraging more stakeholders, communities, and men to open and create more opportunities for Nigerian girls and women in the sports sector, Dare has shown a commitment to gender equality and women’s rights in Nigerian sports. His efforts are to be commended and further encouraged in order to ensure that Nigerian girls and women have equal access to the benefits and opportunities that sports offer.