As Nigeria joins the rest of the World to celebrate the International Women’s Day, Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lola Akande has made a clarion call on women to take positive action against Domestic Violence and Gender Discrimination.

The Commissioner made the call at a Symposium organized by the Ministry to kick starts Year2017 International Women’s Day held at  Adeyemi – Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, the first of the Three – Day Programme lined up to celebrate Lagos Women this year.

Akande stated that the Symposium was to identify salient reasons for Domestic Violence and Gender Discrimination and proffer practical solutions as a way forward.

She noted that the theme of this year’s International Women day, ‘Be Bold for Change’ Say No to Domestic Violence and Gender Discrimination, is consistent with the focus of the Ambode’s administration to remove all impediments to the realization of women empowerment and she enjoined them to be  courageous and push further than their current efforts.

“There must be a determination to act and achieve the best possible outcome without fear or doubt and the willingness to stand by it, speak about it, or address issues one is passionate about, even if it is out of one’s comfort zone’’, she reiterated.

The Panelists at the Symposium included Mrs. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho who spoke on Causes, Effects and Remedies for Gender Discrimination; Barr. Omotola Rotimi who discussed Legal Steps to take when confronted with Domestic Violence; Pastor (Mrs.) Tinu Odugbemi who enlightened the women on Entrepreneurial Skill and Mr. Praise Fowowe who discussed Family Issues; while Mrs. Nike Essiet talked on Women in Social Development and Education.

The Programme was supported by different organizations such as Power oil, UNFPA, Renaissance Lagos Ikeja Hotel, Access Bank among others.