By; ALEX UANGBAOJE, Kaduna
As part of activities to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024, Omonola Blessing Foundation (OBF) in partnership with the Center for Media Advocacy for Mother and Child (CAMAC), African Institute for leadership and Good Governance, on Saturday empowered 40 Women in Ugwan Madami Community of Chikun Local Government Area in Kaduna State with skills.
The women who were trained on how to make tea powder, puff-puff snacks and cocktail drinks, expressed happiness, noting that the skills will not only help them become better home makers, but will also help them boost their economic situation.
Women leader in the community, Lami Danbaba, who spoke on behalf of other women, expressed gratitude to the organizes.
According to her, “Today we have being educated on how to be good home makers and skillful which is a good heritance to pass on to our children.
“Also in regards to the teaching we got on SGBV, honestly most of us don’t know this until now. We will definitely take what we have learnt to other women in the community and our children so as to avoid being victims.”
IWD is celebrated every 8th March to support and empower women to reach their full potential and reduce gender inequality.
Executive Director of OBF, Omonola Blessing, noted that the theme for the year “Inspire Inclusion” is a call to action where every woman need to establish a goal, know their value and be valued in the society.
She emphasized the need for women in rural communities to be empowered with knowledge on Gender Base Violence, things happenings around them and the roles they need to play in the lives of their children and community at large.
Blessing said it was the alarming report they got in other engagements carried in various communities that lead to the GBV knowledge empowerment and skills acquisition by the foundation.
She expressed her gratitude to the women’s responsiveness which was interactive and engaging.
On her part, Programs Officer of CAMAC, Christie Saidu, said as part of the NGO’s vision to meet every necessity required for the survival of every child and woman in the communities, they decided to partner with OBF to commemorate IWD to empower women who are idle to become entrepreneur and get a source of income to support their children and families.
“We are in a generation that women shouldn’t be idle but should also contribute to the development of the society.
“So the women who are beneficiaries of the skills acquisition are expected to go and teach whatever they have learnt to other women in their communities either in the churches, community women’s meeting or any other gathering of women. With that a lot of women will be empowered.”
Peter Simon, Executive Director for African Institute for leadership and Good Governance, stated that with the current economic situation of Nigeria, women requires skills like this to start up and meet the demand in the society.
He urged the participants to start up a business base in what they have learnt which doesn’t required too much capital.
Youth leader of Ugwan Madami Community, Joshua Ayuba, appreciated the organizers for the teaching and empowerment carried out in the community.
“With this skill acquisition, most of our women will no longer be idle unlike before. With little funds, they can start up their business. But we are appealing to the community to help sponsor programmes like this so as to empower more women”. Ayuba added.
He therefore, charged the participants to make sure they engage themselves with what have been learnt and likewise educate others in the community.
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