By our reporter
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has advised women to unite and pursue common goals that would help better their lot in society.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo gave the advice at the weekend, when members of Stand Up For Women Society, SWS, paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
He said the issue of disunity among women does not help the fight against discrimination targeted at women and the girl child.
While noting that discrimination against women did not start today, he said all stakeholders should synergize in the struggle to eliminate violence and other dehumanizing practices against women.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo noted that a lot could be achieved if women make concerted efforts in this regard, and called for an attitudinal change in the area of giving preference to their male children at the expense of the females.
He assured the Stand Up For Women Society of government’s readiness to partner them through the State Ministry of Women Affairs, and to support their programmes.
Earlier in their presentations, the Zonal Coordinator for South South, Liberator Timinepre Jombo Idoko, said the Stand Up For Women Society was formed to promote the welfare and interest of women and children in the country.
She said as a non-governmental organization, they were quite impressed with what the Prosperity Government was doing in Bayelsa, and called on the people to support the government’s policies and programmes to succeed.
In the same vein, Bayelsa Chairperson, Liberator Eunice Nnachi, noted that, there is an urgent need for the group to hit the ground running having been inaugurated in the state, on 15th of September, 2021, by embarking on training, workshops, seminars for the teenage school dropouts.
She said, “pregnancy related school dropouts, especially in the rural areas have become a matter of public concern, as studies show that the age at first intercourse is reducing.
“SWS through the programme aims to empower young single mothers who often raise their children without sufficient family/financial support to enable them cultivate their self confidence and participate in society as responsible individuals.
They will also build foundation of business skills through the programme and become independent for their families after graduating.
This feat necessitated the request for collaboration in order to have intensive sensitisation drive which include but not limited to; Skills acquisition/ life goal planning, Financial education
Gender sensitivity/adolescent sexuality.”
