IWD: Anambra First Lady Champions Women’s Health, Empowerment

The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, embraced the occasion of International Women’s Day by honouring the resilience and invaluable contributions of female health workers across the state.

Addressing a gathering at the governor’s lodge in Amawbia, Awka, Mrs. Soludo emphasized the unique strength and dreams inherent in womanhood, transcending mere ceremonies to underline the profound significance of International Women’s Day.

She called on women to prioritize their health and well-being against the backdrop of economic challenges.

“International Women’s Day is beyond a ceremony of fanfares. It is an important fixture that gives us the opportunity to idolise the pride of being a woman,” she said.

Highlighting the pivotal role of women in the New Anambra Project, Mrs. Soludo underscored the state’s commitment to women’s health initiatives. She cited successful partnerships with organizations like the World Health Organization and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, which provided free cervical cancer screening and treatment to thousands of women, thus safeguarding their health and well-being.

Mrs. Soludo praised the state’s efforts in providing free antenatal care and delivery services, significantly reducing maternal mortality rates by promoting professional medical care. She recounted recent distributions of anti-shock garments to health facilities, a move aimed at preventing postpartum haemorrhage-related deaths.

“A few months ago, we gave out one hundred and twenty anti-shock garments to general hospitals and mission-owned health facilities to save our women from deaths resulting from postpartum haemorrhage,” she said.

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Acknowledging the challenges women face, Mrs. Soludo urged them to draw inspiration from trailblazers who have shattered barriers in various spheres despite societal constraints.

“Being a woman gives you that extra motivation to think big, dream big, and achieve big. Of course, we cannot achieve a world where progress trends if women are still subjected to societal pressure, molestation, battery, abuses, stigma, and short-changing rules,” she said.

She condemned prevalent issues like gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, and human trafficking, stressing the urgent need for empowerment through education and economic opportunities.

Mrs. Soludo revealed ongoing initiatives by the Anambra Small Business Agency (ASBA), offering soft-interest loans to women in agriculture and small-scale enterprises.

“Over a week ago, we were in Imo State capital, Owerri, where twenty female farmers from Anambra State received a grant of five hundred thousand Naira each to support their agro-businesses courtesy of the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme of Nigeria’s First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (CON),” she said.

In alignment with this year’s theme, “Invest in women: Accelerate progress,” Mrs. Soludo emphasized the transformative impact of empowering women on societal advancement.

She called for comprehensive strategies, including economic reforms and enhanced educational opportunities, to unleash the full potential of women in driving progress and prosperity.