The Federal Government has flagged off the Widows Empowerment Scheme with strong commitment to addressing the plight of widows in Nigeria and ensuring their integration into national transformation endeavours. During the flag-off ceremony which held recently in Abuja, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Zainab Maina said that the Nigerian government is committed to ensuring a better deal for widows. Adding, the Government will ensure that their vulnerability issues and concerns are positively addressed as well as the rights and social protection they deserve. “They must be encouraged to participate in economic activities and other activities geared towards improving their status and full integration into national development,” she stated. The Minister further observed from available statistics that women make up about half of the Nigerian population and that the number of widows has been steadily increasing over the years, thus necessitating attention towards this category of persons. She stressed that in Nigeria, the state of widowhood has been worsened by situations of poverty, widowhood rites and lack of access to services and resources. ‘Widowhood, she stated can deprive women of their homes, agricultural land, assets and sometimes children.’ She identified the present demands to involve the appropriation of legal and policy frameworks that will protect the rights and enhance the livelihood of widows in Nigeria. While acknowledging the Legislature in several States of the federation for enacting laws that address harmful widowhood practices, the Minister disclosed that at the federal level, the ‘Violence Against Persons Bill’ has been passed by the House of Representatives and is currently receiving positive attention in the Senate. “I would like to encourage Nigerian Lawmakers at the Federal and States level to continue in their stride to legislate against all oppressive, injurious and degrading widowhood practices,” the Minister indicated. Zainab Maina advised beneficiaries of the scheme to ensure that they grow their economic ventures to the next level; urging them to continue to be strong and believe in themselves and their capacities to pull through their situations. She also commended MTN Foundation for partnering with the Ministry towards successful take-off of the scheme; expressing optimism that with tacit contribution from all stakeholders, the future will be brighter for Nigerian widows. In the highlight of the event, the Ministry distributed some economic empowerment equipment, machines and materials to the beneficiaries of the first batch of the scheme. -[Women Affairs Ministry Report]
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 11:25:54 +0000
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