A non-governmental organisation, “Godsfavour Atosemi Foundation (GAF) has empowered 210 widows in Eleme Local Government Area with food items and clothings.
President of the foundation, Mrs Atosemi Teetito, during a special Christmas celebration held at Eleme Civic Centre, said the gesture was part of measures to reduce the plight of widows in the area.
She observed that many widows suffered hardship due to the death of their husbands as a result of discriminatory practices against them.
Mrs Teetito further observed that in Eleme most widows were denied access to the possessions of their late husband’s estates, including inheritance of their father’s estates.
While condemning such harmful practices, the GAF President emphasised that the body was poised to ensure that such repressive practices were eliminated, hence it decided to organize a one day sensitisation programme and Christmas party to give the widows a sense of belonging.
Mrs Teetito, who is also Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Women Affairs, disclosed that in the next event a special skills development programme would be held to further arm the widows to cope with their needs.
Chairman of the occasion and President General, O’Elabor Eleme, Chief Israel Abbey, commended the foundation for organising the programme.
Chief Abbey said, “when you educate a woman you liberate the community. What’s happening today will liberate the entire Eleme”.
The President of O’Elabor Eleme used the occasion to challenge other bodies and organisations to engage in similar activities as a way of empowering women, and adding value to society.
Also speaking, Chairman of Eleme Local Government Area, Barrister Philip Okparaji, noted that though there were societal practices that hampered the growth of women in the area, over the years Eleme women had shown excellence in their various careers.