As the world celebrates the International Day for Women, women in Ondo state have been tasked with possible ways to be skillful in supporting their families and mitigating the challenge of hunger in the land.
The call was made during the celebration of the International Day for Women, the Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ASWHAN) and APIN Health Initiatives, advising women on possible ways to be skillful to support their families
The Ondo State Head of APIN Health Initiatives, Dr Folake Adurogbola, said the United Nations designated the year 2024’s theme as ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ with a focus on addressing economic disempowerment, while the campaign theme for this year is ‘Inspire Inclusion.’
Adurogbola who expressed concerns over the prevailing harsh economy, urged women to engage themselves in positive ventures such as business, skills acquisition and meaningful ideas that will propel them to higher ground.
She said : “Our women can’t afford to be lazy at this time because we know the economy situation in Nigeria is biting hard, so, this is not the time for women to seat down and expect the man to take responsibility 100 percent .
“They should also do something. Even, if it involves selling pure water, hawking it. They must be seen to contribute to the family and it will ease the burden on the home and the man that is the sole provider for the home.
“You can’t afford to be a house wife at this time, even if your husband says he doesn’t want you to work, try to do something while at home. There are lots of stay at home jobs now on the internet.
“Take advantage of the technology, social media to sell your products and support our homes. This is not time for excuses”
Adurogbola noted that investing in the health and wellbeing of women and girls first requires adequate investment in health overall.
The State Co-ordinator of Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (ASWHAN), Mrs Agboola Catherine explained that women and girls empowerment is critical to advancing sustainable development and progress around the world.
“When women and girls have equal opportunities to learn, work and earn, economies and societies benefit. When they have access to quality health care, they are healththier and their children are healthier.
“Let us all work together to ensure that women and girls have the resources and opportunities they need to achieve their full potentials.
“The objective of this day is to advocate for increased investment and accelerate progress for women and girls in all their diversity through a society free from stigmatization and discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS it’s a very serious issue, and it’s one that we all need to work together to address.”
The State Coordinator (Prevention and Control) APIN Health Initiatives, Mrs Adijat Suraju emphasised that there should be room for more participation of women in all works of life to help closing the huge gender disparity encountered day in, day out.
“This is a clarion call to all, to promote gender equality and equity in our lives, homes, workplace and other settings.
“Let’s celebrate women in government, technology, digital setting to mention a few and let’s give room for more participation of women in all works of life to help closing the huge gender disparity encountered day in, day out”.