The Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC) has restated its commitment towards ensuring that Nigerian women and girls achieve the desired gender equality through stakeholders collaboration.
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Mrs Christy Abayomi-Oluwole, the GLOHWOC Chief Executive Officer, made the pledge during an advocacy visit and rally organised by the foundation in Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rally, led by Abayomi-Oluwole, took the team to the palace of the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abadulraheem Adeoti.
It also visited the Omu-Aran office of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority and Omu-Aran Central market in Omu-Aran.
The event was meant to create awareness for gender equality and human right for Nigerian women and girls in commemoration of the 2020 International Women Day (IWD) Scheduled for Sunday March 8.
The 2020 IWD is with the theme: “I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights”.
Speaking at the Olomu’s palace, Abayomi-Oluwole said the foundation had embarked on a project toward empowering about 120 vulnerable women and girls in Irepodun and Ilorin South Local Government Areas of the state.
According to her, this is part of the larger plan in achieving the desired objective of the organisation
She said: “The project tagged: “Gender Equality and Women Empowerment’ scheme is in collaboration with Actionaid and Global Affairs Canada toward assisting vulnerable women, girls and cooperatives, especially at the grassroots.”
She said a project steering committee comprising of heads of relevant stakeholders such as security, community development associations, governments, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) was already working round the clock toward ensuring its success.
“The project is meant to identify vulnerable persons, especially women, girls and non-registered cooperative societies, for financial literacy assistance for them to be self-sufficient and legally registered to function effectively,” she said.
Abayomi-Oluwole disclosed that the organisation was already operational in other states such as Bauchi, Cross River, Enugu and Lagos States to impact positively on the living standard of the beneficiaries.
Dr Elizabeth Alori, the Head of Department, Soil and Crop Science, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, and a member of the team, expressed the institution’s readiness to promote agriculture mechanization among the womenfolk.
She urged women to be ready to take up responsibilities by engaging in farming activities both as a profession and a vocation.
Mr Oluyinka Adetunji, the Omu-Aran Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). who represented the securing agencies in the team, assured of adequate security of lives and property in the area.
According to him, no meaningful development can be achieved in an atmosphere of violence and rancour, “we are on our part are ever ready to ensure adequate security for the desired development to thrive,” he said.
Alhaji Abdulganiyu Salahideen, Vice-President, Omu-Aran Development, on his part, pledged the association’s commitment toward ensuring the desired transformation envisioned for women populace in the area.
Responding, the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Abdulraheem Adeoti, commended the organisation for its dedication, patriotism and foresight.
He described the emergence of more women in many positions of authority and lucrative businesses as a clear indication of the readiness of the womenfolk to take their rightful place in the scheme of things.
“Women are no more lagging behind; we have more women now occupying sensitive government positions and also as forefront entrepreneurs.
“What you really need to do now is to always encourage the upcoming younger ones not to relax and be focused in contributing their own quota to the growth, progress and socio-economic development of their locality, state and the country at large,” he said.
The traditional ruler also used the opportunity to assure the organisation of the support of the tradition institution in achieving the desired set targets, goals and objectives.
The event was rounded off at the Omu-Aran Central Market where the team members took turn to address the traders and marketers, on the need to be productively engaged as responsible citizens.