Abuja — Network of Nigerian Women Hall of Fame Inductees (WHOFINET) has vowed to be an agent of change to re-brand Nigeria and make her greater.

This was part of its seven point communiqué issued at the end of its consultations on promoting gender equality and women's rights in Nigeria.

The communiqué signed by its Coordinator, Hon. Justice Rose N. Ukeje (rtd) and Deputy Coordinator, Dr. Oluremi Aribisala, the network reiterated the importance of ensuring that every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect and is accorded equal opportunities in every sphere of life in accordance with the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

The network which is a repository of successful stories of women achievers said it is prepared to collaborate with relevant government agencies and NGOs to eliminate all forms of discriminatory practices against women especially gender based violence.

It lamented that Nigeria faces challenges in achieving gender equality and its commitments to the implementation of the Nigerian Gender Policy, Nigerian constitution and the domestication of international instruments/protocols.

"Societal perceptions and attitude are major barriers hindering women's political participation in decision making and access to high level positions commensurate with their professional qualification and competence.

"There is the need for a strong political will to mainstream women's issues and concerns into the 7 points agenda and the vision 2020-20 of government to manifest in the gender auditing of national, state, LGA budgets and the annual programme/calendar of the private sector."

There is a need to strengthen the national women's machineries to effectively drive the process of women's development," it said.