*launches Education Trust Fund for poor homes
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
The Imo State Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Dr. Mrs Dorothy Nnaji has called on mothers to be actively involved in the proper upbringing, training and disciplining of their children without discrimination
Dr. Mrs Nnaji made the call while addressing women groups at St. Patrick’s Ugonna, Catholic Church, Lowa in Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area and Amuzu Nweafor Primary School field in Aboh Mbaise.
According to the NAWOJ chairperson, neglect of children both the male and female by mothers, has resulted in the increase in drug abuse, violence, crime among other vices in the society.
She stressed that there is the need for mothers to give same educational opportunities and care given to male children to the female children as both are equally important and have equal rights in the home.
Dr. Nnaji emphasized that women should at all times bear in mind that it is their responsibility to ensure that all their children become useful citizens to society, adding that the importance of women actively involving themselves in the training, nurturing and disciplining of their children, includes protecting their rights to inheritance, irrespective of gender, was emphasized by Imo NAWOJ, and partner agencies during this year’s Women’s August Meeting.
Stressing that NAWOJ has resolved to strengthen bonds of interaction, collaboration and partnership among women groups for a more positive impact on society, she said the association visited two rural communities in Ihitte Uboma and Aboh Mbaise communities for their August meeting.
The Imo NAWOJ Chairperson hinted that the association is planning to launch an Education Trust Fund on September 20, 2022, for the poorest of the poor in rural communities to encourage educational training of children with particular attention to encouraging male children’s school attendance which in recent years has alarmingly dropped very low.
Dr. Nnaji then urged the women leaders to compile list of indigent children and forward same to Imo NAWOJ before the date of the launch as school bags, sandals , uniforms, etc would also be given to the beneficiaries.
The State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mrs Ukachi Uka, while speaking, educated the women on their fundamental human rights including right to life, right to education, right to sexual health, reproduction and right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, right to protection from discrimination, among other rights, which she said, every woman must understand and respect or face the consequences of infringement.
Founder of GHM Inc, Mrs Pearl Godslight, in her remarks, said the December 15, 2021 passage of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill into law has made it mandatory that parents include their female children in Inheritance of property without discrimination, and put end to Female genital mutilation FGM as well as obnoxious Widowhood practices and Domestic Violence among others, warning that penalties for violators included 4- 15 years imprisonment and fines of N500,000.
Ms. Peace Dike, of VHF on her part, urged the women to protect the rights of the girl-child, give them the same educational and career opportunities with the male children, and engage them in productive ventures as she announced a free three years Nursing training programme being run by a Health College in collaboration with her NGO for interested candidates from poor rural communities.
In their responses, the President of Home and Abroad Meeting, St. Patrick’s Ugonna Catholic Church, Lowa, Ihitte Uboma, Mrs Joy Anyanwu represented by her Vice, Mrs Beatrice Nwachukwu and also the President of Ndom Otu Obi, Home and Abroad, Amuzu Nweafor, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area, Lolo Bernadette Nnaji, appreciated Imo NAWOJ for the expression of love and the encouragement given to them through the visit.
The partner agencies that joined NAWOJ at the visit included, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Godslight Helping Hand Ministry inc. and Virgin Heart Foundation, whose coordinators spoke to the women on issues relating to their rights, consequences of infringement and penalties for violation of those human rights.
