From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi has charged Governments at all levels to incorporate care centred approach into their policies and programmes for the benefit of women and children.
Ene Obi who gave the charge in a press release made available to Journalists in Lokoja said it was in commemoration of the 2021 International Women’s Day celebration and as a strong reminder of the unanticipated struggles of Nigerian women.
ActionAid Nigeria, a Non-governmental organization working to promote women’s rights, combat poverty and all forms of injustice in Nigeria, described women as the hardest hit by social and economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the year 2020.
According to her “Many have lost their paid jobs and women became saddled with the unpaid responsibility of caring for sick family members and providing their needs often in vulnerable, low paid roles with little protection.”
“Currently, insecurity has further plunged the country into multiple and intersecting crises with women as primary targets and easy preys. As the country re-strategizes to rise above this current situation, we call for the adoption of a care-centered approach which recognizes that care and well-being are critical to sustaining societies, economies, and the environment.”
“A care-centered approach also entails investing in gender-based violence prevention and response in all public and private spaces. Care needs to be valued, redistributed and should be integral to humanitarian preparedness and response policies.”
The Country Director noted that the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day “Women in Leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world” is apt as there is widespread evidences against gender based inequalities across the country.
While calling for commitment to challenges of gender bias and inequality, her Organisation will join the world to amplify Choose to Challenge to celebrate women’s achievement.
“Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive Nigeria where the empowerment and fulfilment of the rights of women and girls is normalised.” Ene Obi assured.
“As the world beams a spotlight on women, we call on the Nigerian government to reflect and move from policy to action. Governments at all levels should classify and prioritize all Gender based violence as essential services and ensure that they are publicly funded.”
“ ActionAid Nigeria also calls for a scale up of investments in public services, including public healthcare services in order to reduce and redistribute women’s unpaid care and domestic work and ensure women public sector workers who are at the frontline have decent work and a guarantee of international labour standards” She solicited.”
