NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

NCWS elects new President, unveils empowerment Initiative

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By Justina Auta

Mrs Edna Azura has emerged as the new National President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Azura will complete the late Hajiya Lami Adamu-Lau’s two-year tenure, following her passing on June 5, 2024.

During the inauguration, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, urged Azura to lead with fairness and dedication for the benefit of women across the country.

“Together, we can achieve so much. Women are already leading in many sectors, and there is no reason we cannot do even more for this nation.

“We will contribute to the progress and development of Nigeria by providing access to markets and finance, protecting our women and children, and giving them the support they need.

“We will also strengthen our response to child development and protection, ensuring that the vulnerable are well looked after,” she said.

On the new women empowerment initiative, Sulaiman-Ibrahim announced that it would provide financial support to women in the six geo-political zones.

This, she said will help them achieve economic independence amidst the current economic challenges.

According to her, N3.6m will be given to the North Central states; N3.1m to the Northeast; N3.1 Northwest states; N2.250m to Southeast.

”The South South will get N3.150m

while N2.7m will go to the South West states as part of the women empowerment initiative, ”she said.

Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, called the late Adamu-Lau an icon with a legacy of excellence.

While presenting a memorial magazine in honour of the late president, Benjamins-Laniyi urged women to emulate Adamu-Lau’s legacy and contribute to national development.

“In our transition, may we create legacies that are not just printed in magazines but etched as indelible footprints,” she said.

Mrs Geraldine Ita-Etuk, NCWS First Vice President and Acting President, thanked First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, NCWS Grand Patron, for her steadfast support for women.

Ita-Etuk highlighted the council’s efforts, saying: “We are giving three women per state N150,000 each to support and grow their businesses.

“We also want to see more women in politics and positions of authority”.

In her acceptance speech, Azura, the 16th NCWS President, pledged to uphold her predecessor’s legacy and champion women’s empowerment.

“I commit to working diligently to empower women, foster unity, and elevate NCWS to greater heights.

“Let us unite as one, fostering cooperation and collaboration among Nigerian women for a brighter and more prosperous future for ourselves and the nation,” she said.

Azura urged women to prioritise dignity, welfare, and empowerment while increasing their participation in governance.

She emphasised the importance of creating a legacy of strength and unity for future generations. (NAN)

www.nannews.ng

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Kadiri Abdulrahman

Women Council advocates urgency in efforts to eliminate FGM

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By Anita Uzoagba

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) says there is an urgent need to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.

The National President of NCWS, Mrs Geraldine Etuk, spoke on this need at a one-day sensitisation workshop in Abuja on FGM laws, surveillance, reporting and prosecution of GBV cases.

Etuk noted that FGM was a serious human rights violation, and it has been recognised as a form of torture and violation of the rights to health, dignity and equality.

She stated that more than 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM, with Nigeria having one of the highest numbers.

“In spite of being outlawed by the Federal Government, FGM is still practised in many Nigerian communities.”

Etuk said FGM was a major obstacle to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, adding that as a violation of human rights it is a major public health concern.

The NCWS president recalled that the Nigerian government passed the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act in 2015, which prohibits FGM and provides penalties for those who engage in the practice.

“In addition to the national law, many Nigerian states have enacted laws prohibiting FGM.”

Etuk expressed gratitude to NCWS state presidents, affiliate organisations, partners and sponsors for their support in eliminating FGM and promoting gender equality.

Mrs Yewande Gbol-Awopetu, a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, noted that FGM was sometimes seen as a rite of passage.

”It is also often seen as a prerequisite for marriage or a means to control female sexuality,” she said.

The deputy director pointed out that FGM was prohibited under Section 6 of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, and those who performed or engaged in it were liable to imprisonment.

Gbol-Awopetu, who is also Head of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Response Unit, urged everyone to educate girls in their respective neighbourhoods about the dangers of FGM.

Mr Stephen Nwankwo, an official from the Federal Ministry of Health, thanked NCWS and its sponsor, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for the sensitisation programme.

He encouraged the participants to cooperate and ensure the event’s purpose was achieved, adding that the ministry was committed to eradicating FGM from Nigeria.(NAN)

AU/DE/AMM

(Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Abiemwense Moru)

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