…Seek Release of Farmlands and Better Livelihood Support
An appeal has gone to the male folk to jettison patriarchal entitlement and embrace the inclusion of women in all their activities, including leadership positions.
The women of Mgbirichi Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area made the appeal during an interactive session with a team from ActionAid Nigeria and Communal Care Centre at Obi Eze, Mgbirichi.
ActionAid Nigeria was in Imo State to carry out a baseline survey as part of activities towards the effective implementation of the Renewed Women Voice and Leadership (RWVL) Project in the state.
The women, under the aegis of the Mgbirichi Women Organization, highlighted some of the challenges they face at the hands of their male counterparts and called for gender-friendly initiatives geared towards improving their livelihoods.
They suggested that farmers among them should be supported with fertilizers, while traders should receive funds to boost their businesses.
The women also appealed for employment opportunities for their young graduates and improved access to healthcare, lamenting the exorbitant bills they are usually made to pay at the community primary healthcare centre.
Mrs. Osuji Patricia, Adanma Ndukwe and Ngozi Obinna called on the state government to address their most pressing need, which is the release of their farmlands by the military at Obinze Barracks.
They lamented that vast portions of their land, forcefully taken by soldiers five years ago, had been marked for sale, while crops planted on the few remaining farmlands are being destroyed daily by cows.
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#AllNigeriaWomenMatters
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Stanley Okehie
Communication Officer
Communal Care Centre