The Cross River State Government has concluded plans to empower more than 5,000 women beneficiaries in the Nigeria For Women Project.
The Nigeria for Women Project (NFWP) is a flagship project of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, which has the objective of supporting improved livelihoods for women in targeted communities across the country.
Cross River is among the six states chosen in Nigeria for the 5 year project, which would be implemented in conjunction with the World Bank.
In her speech at a press conference organised ahead of the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Edema Irom said, “As part of our responsibility as government, we ought to provide support through corporative, to facilitate access to soft loans for women and enable them resuscitate and sustain their means of livelihood.
“As the government keys into the Nigeria for Women Project in the coming days, about 5000 women and girls in Cross River State shall be beneficiaries of this project. The Ministry in partnership with PZ Wilmar, owners of one of the largest oil palm estates, shall empower 200 women in tailoring,” Irom stated.
Inclusivity
The commissioner described the theme of the 2024 IWD, “Inspire Inclusion” and the United Nations theme, “Count Her In: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress” as apt since “the International Women’s Day brings women together to analyse and seek for the way forward.”
According to her, previous IWD celebrations were bastions of change, growth and developments for Cross River women and expressed the hope that this year’s event would translate to greater successes for women.
She further stated, “Women are calling for inclusion, gender equality and equity,35 percent affirmative action, a violence free society and a society free from all forms of discrimination. Just as the themes imply, we are pleading for more women inclusion in decision and policy making process.
“We desire to see women accelerate progress in different spheres of life such as agriculture, science, Information Communication Technology, education, business, development space and all aspects of life,” the commissioner stressed.
Continuing, she said, “Cross River has less than 10 percent of women in the policy and decision making process, 29 percent benefit from agriculture grants, 31 percent are in large scale business. The prevalence of sexual and gender based violence has increased; the number of women and girls in transactional sex and other negative coping mechanisms have also increased in the last three years.”
While responding to questions from journalists on the efforts to rehabilitate the women and girls rescued from the “Money Woman” practice in Obanliku, she highlighted the importance of conducting a NEEDS assessment in the community before empowering the survivors with the livelihood support skills.
In a message delivered at the gathering, the Programme Assistant, Heartland Alliance Limited, Cross River State, Ndifreke Usanga said the agency was delighted to collaborate with the Ministry of Women Affairs Cross River State to mark this year’s IWD.
Usanga explained that Heartland Alliance was implementing the KPCARE1 project, which seeks to reduce new HIV incidence among Key Population, their sexual partners, and children in the Cross River State.
She said, “We join voices with the State Government, the Ministry of Women Affairs and relevant stakeholders to celebrate the incredible achievements, resilience, and strength of women worldwide as we continue to strive for gender equality, empower one another, and create a world where every woman and girl can thrive without limitations.”
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