As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of Rural Women, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) known as Better Life Program for the African Rural Woman has empowered twenty-two selected women in the country
The rural women also received training on financial literacy as well as one hundred thousand naira each to improve their businesses.
The Chairperson of the NGO, Hajiya Aisha Babangida said, “The aim is to uplift the living conditions of women, which is a legacy of her late mother, former Nigeria’s first lady Maryam Babangida.”
She noted that her late mother established the NGO with the vision “To see an emergence of a well informed, economically and socio-politically empowered African woman participating effectively in the progress of national development and promotion of national values.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs Mrs Pauline Tallen challenged women in positions of authority to contribute to the upliftment of rural women.
She urged Nigerians to support the enrollment, retention and completion of the education of the Girl Child as “Empowering a woman has a multiplier effect in the society.”
Mrs Pauline Tallen also challenged the women folk to adopt one rural woman or a rural community and assist them to make a better living or future.
She acknowledged the efforts of the former first lady Maryam Babangida and the present Nigeria’s first lady for their contributions to women development.
According to the Director-General National Center For Women Development, Mrs Asabe Bashir, the centre is innovating ways to improve the lives of rural women.
On her part, a Women development Advocate, Mrs Ngozi Madaki while challenging rural women to step out and claim the best things for themselves, urged women in positions of authority to shape laws that impede the growth of the Nigerian woman.
The theme for the 2021 international Day of the Rural Women is “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food For All.”
The International Day of Rural Women is observed annually to celebrate and honour women and girls in rural areas.
PIAK
