Women

NAPTIP Launches Policy Document To Tackle Gender-Based Violence

Published

3 weeks ago

March 31, 2021

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) yesterday launched a policy document aimed at tackling all forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar-Farouk, said in Abuja that the document was to institutionalise an internal gender mainstreaming strategy in NAPTIP.
Umar-Farouk said that it was also targeted at giving proper operation to GBV issues and address gender gaps by contributing to the realisation of eliminating the menace.
“I believe that the launch of this NAPTIP’s gender policy will complement the agency’s operational strategies to curb gender-based violence and address gender gaps.
“It will also chart a new course in the management of the agency’s relationships with its various partners and clients,’’ she said.
Umar-Farouk called on policy makers to analyse the society critically in order to recognise the discriminatory practices against women in particular, as well as men.
The minister called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt and strengthen measures to mainstream gender concerns in all their activities and programmes.
Earlier, NAPTIP Director General, ImaanSulaiman-Ibrahim, stated that the policy document was produced in collaboration with some foreign organisations.
According to her, it was produced under the two years programme on prevention of forced migration and trafficking in women and girls in Nigeria.
She said the document would provide the platform that would guide NAPTIP work in gender secure response.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim added that it would promote gender sensitive environment that would address forced migration, trafficking and other GBV crimes.
“Women equality and empowerment, being one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is integral to all dimensions of inclusive and sustainable development.
“Of particular reference is SDG five, which is aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women in the public and private spheres.
“Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world,’’ she stated.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim said that the document would strengthen gender clauses and mainstreaming of gender into policies, legislations, programmes and operations of NAPTIP.
“It will assist in the prosecution of male and female offenders, with attention to their gender needs, strengthening the network of stakeholders, groups, and individuals at all levels in Nigeria,’’ she added.
UN Women Country Representative for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Comfort Lamptey, pledged to support Nigeria in the area of protection of women’s rights.
Lamptey called on the Federal Government and other stakeholders to take necessary steps to implement the policy.
She commended NAPTIP for coming up with such a policy document as well as government for the political will to end human trafficking.
“The achievement of gender equality and protection of women’s rights is critical if Nigeria is to meet its deepest aspirations in this decade of action as we race to attain the SDG targets,’’ Lamptey said.

Women

Rivers Women: Need To Explore Local Content Opportunities

Published

7 days ago

April 16, 2021

The Tide

As concerned citizens signal the need for community leaders to include women of timber and calibre in community development issues, their interest is to have the community women properly represented so as to attract opportunities that would better their lives and those of their families.

According to a representative of the Erema Women Group, Precious Ibegwura, women have not been able to access anything from the state government, oil companies nor, from the agencies as a result of non-inclusion of learned women, who can stand to challenge some of the ills meted out on community women by their leaders’ wrong decisions with oil companies in their areas.

But why would women be excluded in the decision of their own affairs when in the real sense, they bear the brunt of the negative impact of gas flaring and oil exploration activities in their various communities, as could be visible in the devastation of their sources of livelihood,? Fishing and farming, have remained a puzzle, yearning for answer.

Surprisingly, for those in the Niger Delta region of the country, it is no longer news that many opportunities abound in the oil and gas value-chain, which women, especially those in the south-south region of Nigeria are yet to explore.

The Nigeria Content Act 2010, enacted by the National Assembly, is quite explicit in this regard as it makes provisions that could empower community women.

Unfortunately, so many communities are not aware of this important document that is there for the people to develop their communities. Community women have not been able to leverage on these opportunities, probably due to lack of monitoring and implementation of the Act, on which the Local Content Board was set up.

This is one way to promote women generally, and Rivers Women in particular, giving them access to increased opportunities in governance as well as being factored- in during community development issues with community leaders and oil companies operating in their areas.

For this reason, women have been charged to upscale their games by taking positive actions so as to see and have the needed change by a community development consultant, peace builder and an environmentalist, Hon Henry Eferegbo.

Seizing the opportunity provided by the stakeholders’ ‘Dialogue’, organised by Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, Henry Eferegbo stated that it was time for women to organise themselves to request for local content opportunities from companies operating in their areas.

He regretted that community women have not been able to leverage on these opportunities, a situation he blamed on lack of monitoring and implementation of the Act, on which the Local Content Board was set up. He said, “In terms of implementation, as far as I am concerned I will score the Local Content zero, as they have not implemented what is in the Act that set them up.

He therefore, charged women in Calabar to be properly positioned in order for them to benefit from the 140 oil wells that will soon kick-start in the area. This, according to him, could be achieved if women with like minds in community development start to organise themselves by officially writing to companies on areas where the law has made provisions in which community leaders have failed to engage them.

Henry believes that if women make legitimate demands, these companies would have no choice than to invite them for a discussion in which they could begin to push further to see how this could trickle down to opportunities for them and their children.

While we commend the effort of the Executive Director, Kebetkache Women Development And Resource Centre, Emem Okon, for providing a forum that gathered together the community women, government and stakeholders that oversee the Women Affairs Ministry in Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers States, in order to see how women can organise themselves together to begin to request for local content opportunities, we implore our political leaders to factor- in local content, so that local women can benefit from oil and gas companies in their vicinities”, he said.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Women

Amazing Health Benefits Of Onion

Published

7 days ago

April 16, 2021

The Tide

They may make you cry, yet you will just chuckle over the long haul. Onion is found in every kitchen, however its therapeutic powers make it a significant therapeutic plant as well, like garlic” .

It belongs to the lily family. There should be no questioning on the power of juices contained in onions; any individual who has ever cut one and cried a tear is quite mindful that they hold something special. Apart from their healing properties, onions are also delicious. It frames the premise of such countless dishes- regardless of whether crude, sautéed, heated, or steamed, it is hard to envision the food of any nation without it.

Onions were generally utilised as a protection medication during scourges of cholera and the plague. They were obviously eaten by Roman Sovereign Nero as a remedy for colds, and its standing has made onions a mainstream part in the eating regimens of numerous nations. The clinical records of Charaka Samhita (path, harking back to the 6th century BC) in ancient India, notice onion as a restorative plant. Indeed, even a Greek doctor from the first century AD (Dioscorides) reported the vegetable’ s restorative nutrient. What’ s more, it was the principal European pilgrims who had taken onions to North America.

Nutritional advantage:

Onions are plentiful in sulfur, strands, potassium, calcium, Vitamin B, Vitamin C and they are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium. Something other than a delectable culinary plant, the onion contains regular sugar, Vitamins A, B6, C and E, minerals, for example, sodium, potassium, iron and dietary fibre. Furthermore, onions are a decent wellspring of folic corrosive.

Here is a definite data about onion sustenance realities: One little onion contains around 28 calories and 7 grams of carbs. Onions are additionally plentiful in vitamin A, B6, B- complex, and C, just as iron, folate, and potassium. They are magnificent wellsprings of sulfuric mixes, flavonoids, phytochemicals, and polyphenols.

Type: Onions vary in the size, shading and taste. Spring onions are filled in hotter atmospheres and have a milder, sweeter taste. Storage onions are filled in colder climate atmospheres, it has a more sharp flavour and are generally named by their shading: white, yellow or red. Smaller onions come in numerous kinds, for example, chives, leeks and shallot.

1. Cry me a river. . . . . . the compound, allyl sulphacte which is delivered when an onion’ s cracked cells are presented to air is liable for creating tears. To diminish the creation of this compound, cool the onions for 30 minutes or so prior to slicing to decrease the action of the protein.

2. The onion’ s revenge. . . . . . The smell of onions can be an issue, both on all fours the breath. In the wake of slashing onions, have a go at flushing the hands with cold water, scouring them with salt, flushing again and afterward washing with cleanser and warm water. To eliminate the smell from breath, eat a couple of branches of parsley or an apple to help cover the scent.

Women

Royal Father Tasks Couple On Peace, Tolerance

Published

1 week ago

April 14, 2021

Akujobi Amadi

The Royal family of King Samuel Ndiwe Amaechi of Igbo Kingdom in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State has given out one of their daughters, Princess Onyinye Jennifer Amaechi in marriage
The traditional marriage which featured by Etche cultural display attracted dignitries from all walks of life including traditional monarchs from all parts of the state. The event showcased the display of Etche rich cultural heritage, ,presentation of kola nuts, Etche traditional music (eribo) as well as other traditional dancers from neighbouring communities.
Speaking at the colourful traditional wedding held at the Umuokwa Edegelem, Igbo Etche over the weekend ,the father of the bride and the Onye Ishi Agwuru of Igbo Kingdom, King Samuel Ndiwe Amaechi said he was honoured by the crowd of people that came to witness the traditional marriage of his fourth daughter in his kingdom.
The monach who was elated advised the couple to be peaceful and live in fear of God, adding that love,tolerance and mutual respect to each other are attributes that spice marriage union
“I wish them God’s protection and blessings.Go and multiply, live in peace ,show kindness and respect to each other,” he stated.
Also speaking ,the acting chairman of the occassion, Mr Charles Nwonuoala ,who is also the President -General of Ogbakor Etche ethnic nationality tasked the couple on love ,tolerant and mutual respect in other to enjoy their marriage .
Princess Onyinye Jennifer Amaechi is married to Eninum Oliseh Okpue.
The event was climax with the presentation of royal marriage certificate.