Groups advocate equality for grass-roots women

Help Initiative and SAF Foundation in conjunction with Hattires fashion recently organised a programme tagged; The Love Drive to promote equality in the grass-roots with the aim of helping people especially women at the grass-roots to rise above the poverty level.

In her welcome address, Mrs Febisola Okonkwo, the founder of Help Initiative said the annual event was aimed at giving women the same opportunity as the men so that our society can be better.

According to her :“When you train a woman, you are training a nation and that is why we at Help Initiative and SAF Foundation have decided to assist women by empowering them to start a business. We believe in teaching a woman to catch fish and not give them fish.”

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The guest lecturer at the event and  Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hattires Fashion  thanked the organisers for putting the programme together and for giving her the opportunity  to reach out to people in her little way.

Speaking on the topic; Equality in the grass-roots said the world has a population of about 7.2 billion and it is projected to increase in 1 billion over the next 12 years and reach about 9 billion in 2050 according to United Nations Report.

“I will like to point out that half of the world population live below poverty level and the reason we are here today is to help lift ourselves above the poverty line. Demographically, more of the numbers of people caught in the poverty trap are women, which consequently bring in their families especially their children into the same trap.

“Once a woman is empowered, the whole family has been empowered and this can lead to the growth and development of the whole community and the nation as a whole. Like someone said, anything you give to a woman comes back doubled.  A man impregnates a woman with only one sperm and that woman carries the embryo to full term and brings forth a human being whom she nurtures to a grown adult, it is indeed a miracle.

“Therefore, every woman has the ability to double or multiply her resources. However, it is not an easy ride most of the time because as women we still have to care for our children, provide for them and nurture them so it is not easy sometimes to double our resources in any way,

“I want to teach us ways we can double our resources. An example is a programme like this, self awareness. In a programme like this, we teach women to be aware that God created them for a purpose and they should learn to appreciate themselves. “

Speaking further, she said: “As a woman, know that you carry a treasure in you so take a critical look at yourself, what are those things you know how to do. What are the things that make you happy? That could be your gift.

“Put a value on yourself and think of how to improve yourself. You can self improve; self educate and acquire new skills. Most local governments are doing skill acquisition for free. You can also learn on the job. Start something. Don’t be a liability to anybody; God has made you to be more than what you are today.

‘’Also, cultivate the habit of saving no matter how little.”

Mr Kayode Oluwaremi of SAF foundation presented beneficiaries of the empowerment programme with raw materials and monetary gifts they can use to start their businesses.

At the event five women were empowered to start the business of their choice like hat making, fufu production, beauty, fashion and nylon production, while several others went home with items such as clothes, accessories, provision and so on.