To commemorate the 2019 International Women’s Day, the Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO), a leading empowerment initiative in the country recently organised an empowerment programme with the theme: “Balance and Peace,”,aimed at teaching women on how to overcome health problems and tackle unforeseen challenges in the home and the society at large.
The event which was held at the Oyo State chapter office of the Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), was attended by experts in health and academics. Some of the dignitaries who graced the event included, guest speaker, Mrs Flora Olaifa (PhD) of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan; Chief Nursing Officer, University College Hospital (UCH), Mrs Temitope Bello; Legal Practitioner, Adenike Oduntan; stakeholders and pupils of Kenny-Yem International School, Ibadan.
According to the organisers, the initiative was part of it efforts to appreciate the achievements of women towards the development and growth of the country, call for gender equality in all spheres of life and also provides every opportunity for the wellbeing and productivity of women in the state and the country at large.
In her speech entitled: “Balance for Peace in the Family, Community and Nation”, Olaifa stressed the role of women in the family, community and nation at large, while she urged Nigerian women to concentrate more on their immediate family irrespective of any challenges and also ensure that they are virtous women in all ramifications.
“The role of women in the family, society and nation at large is essential, because strong and responsible family makes a better society and a peaceful nation. I urge parents, especially mothers to create time for their children, family and the entire home, because there cannot be progress without peace. Parents must train their children or wards in good and godly way,” Olaifa added.
Also, the medical expert, Mrs Bello, enlightened the participants on: “Ways to be free from Hypertension”, adding that, “some of the main causes of the high rate of hypertension cases in Africa today, especially among women include: ignorance, lack of adequate rest, hereditary, social and economy problem. However, the challenge has forced many lives to stroke, eye defect, kidney failure and other related diseases and eventually cut many lives short.”
She, however, noted that the preventive measures include modification of life style, constant health check-up and health status, adequate rest, avoidance of unnecessary pressures. She also commended the management of the NGO for making the welfare and health care of women and the society at large a priority.
In her bid to re-orientate Nigerian women, a legal practitioner, Adenike Oduntan, stressed that the women’s right is an entitlement and claims for women around the world, which is guided by the law, just as she noted that the rights are numerous and that it enhances the power and responsibilities of women.
“This is to protect women from unwarranted challenges and hazards of the society. It time, Nigeria will embrace laws that will protect women and the girl-child so as to reduce all the challenges and assaults they face in the society to a barest minimum or even eradicate them.”
In her remarks, the Executive Director of LAPO, Mrs Sabina Idowu-Osehobo represented by the LAPO, Ibadan Regional Officer, Mrs Oluwakemi Olawale, noted that the organisation is fully committed to addressing the maginalisation of women and has for decades been at the forefront of the struggle to promote legal and policy reforms and supporting projects that empower women socially and economically.
“We are a leading NGO in Nigeria with an unflinching commitment to the social, health and economic empowerment of poor and vulnerable people, especially women in Nigeria. So, as a result of this, we have made it a priority to seize the celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) to empower, educate and expose Nigerian women to basic needs to have a resourceful life,” she added.
EmoticonEmoticon