—Disburses N15,000 to 1000 vulnerable women–
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri-
The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has flagged off an empowered project under the United Nations Basket Fund Support National COVID 19 Multi Sectoral Pandemic Response in Nigeria in collaboration with UN Women, NACA and the Borno state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Dame Pauline Tallen disclosed that the project was initiated and funded to empower the most vulnerable women especially: the old age, widows, physically challenged, HIV/AIDS victims and other poor women, by way of disbursing N15, 000 cash transfer to the 1000 selected women through UBA to alleviate their hardships and sufferings from the effects of Covid-19 pandemic across the country.
Represented by the Borno State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo, said that the project was meant to improve their livelihood and make them self reliant.
She warned the beneficiaries not to divert the funds to other unnecessary use rather they should engage in petty businesses to boost their living conditions.
However, the minister noted that only 1000 vulnerable women from the 24 LGAs of the state have been identified for the Federal Government High level joint mission cash transfer and risk communication which is a community engagement project in the state with the cash support of N15, 000 each.
While flagging off the Humanitarian projects at the Multi Purpose Hall of the Government House, Maiduguri, The Minister said: “The Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and Social Mobilization Basket Fund Project is conceive to strengthening resilience and coping capacity of some of the most covid-19 affected households”.
“Including vulnerable female-headed households, poor women with disability, widows and women living with HIV/AIDs with a view to bring about improve livelihoods to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 and gender based violence among the groups”, Tallen said.
While appreciating President Buhari and Governor Zulum for their supports, Hon. Tallen said “I thank Mr. President who promptly responded by declaring zero tolerance to Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the wake of the pandemic and constituted an Inter-Ministerial Gender Based Violence Management Committee to address all forms of violence against women and children in the country”.
“I also like to commend Your Excellency, Gov. Babagana Zulum for your leadership, guidance and support towards a successful hosting of the various preliminary activities on the project since November, 2020”, Pauline said.
Also speaking, Governor Zulum represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Isa Marte, said all activities geared towards empowering women would continue to receive the support of government at all levels in the state, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the devastating and the most challenging health crises bedeviling the world.
He however urged women in the state to make themselves available for the Covid-19 vaccination, as prevention is better than cure.
In his goodwill message, the Director General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Aliyu Gumel Gambo who was represented by Dr John Ngoshe, said the UN support fund is aimed at developing the resilience of the vulnerable widows, aged women, physically and HIV infected women.
In her remarks, The Borno State Commissioner of Women Affairs, Hajiya Zuwaira Gambo said: “The ministry have been working closely with the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), National Council of Women Society (NCWS), , Girls Guide, National Social Safety Nets to key into how best to address COVID 19 pandemic and I wish to assure you that a lot of successes has been achieved.
She assured that the ministry was well poised to support the National Multi sectoral COVID-19 pandemic response team by educating and mobilizing the communities and provision of relief assistance.