In Abakaliki, 40 victims of GBV get UN, EU empowerment

In Abakaliki, 40 victims of GBV get UN, EU empowerment

By Charles Joseph

July 11, 2020 - In a bid to promote gender equality, the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has empowered 40 victims of Gender-based Violence in Abakaliki, the capital city of Ebonyi state in Nigeria.

The training which is aimed at making the women independent, was also done in collaboration with Ebonyi Women Initiative for Acceleration (EBOWOIFA) and support from the state government, said UNFPA Representative in Ebonyi, Mr Benedict Essong.

He said “on behalf of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, we are pleased to partner with the state government through EBOWOIFA to ensure that there is gender equality and support means of livelihood for women.

“We are also proud to get the support of the state government to implement this activity through EBOWOIFA.”

The Director, EBOWOIFA, Dr Ngozi Obichukwu, said that the essence of the training was to ensure that women in the state were empowered.

Obichukwu, who is also the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said that the women were trained on soap-making and would be issued with certificate and starter kits.

According to her, the participants, who are drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state, are expected to extend the teaching to other women at the grassroots.

She added that “the training and the starter kits are palliatives from EU-UN, UNFPA and other development partners to support income generating means of livelihood for women.”

She commended the agencies for the gesture and the state Governor, David Umahi, for providing an enabling environment for the programme.

The Wife of the Governor, Mrs Rachael Umahi, encouraged the women to take advantage of the training to better their families and the society.

Umahi, who was represented by her Chief Press Secretary, Mr Donatus Owo, urged the women to take the exercise serious and make utmost use of the opportunity to achieve greatness.

One of the participants, Mrs Elizabeth Ojukwu, promised to organise a one-day meeting with women at the grassroots and teach them how to make soap.

She said “we at the grassroots will impact others with what we have learnt to improve their means of livelihoods.

“We are grateful and we commend the organisers for bringing such empowerment programme closer to women. It will go a long way to help women.”