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Systemic gender inequality bane of poverty among women – Zainab Marwa

Published

3 months ago

October 1, 2024

Systemic gender inequality bane of poverty among women – Zainab Marwa

Sahara Weekly Reports The founder of Aspire Women Forum, a non-governmental organization, Dr. Zainab Marwa, has described systemic gender inequality as one of the major causes of poverty among women in Nigeria, especially in the North Central part of the country.

Dr. Zainab, who stated this in her paper titled “The Intersectionality of Poverty and Gender in North Central Nigeria,” presented as the guest lecturer at the 9th Distinguished Public Lecture of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi state, regretted that despite several intervention programs, poverty persists among women.

“Imagine a land where resources are plentiful, yet the hands that toil hardest remain the most deprived. In the heart of North Central Nigeria, this paradox is the daily reality for millions of women. While the region is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and abundant resources, its women are caught in the relentless grip of poverty working tirelessly but rarely reaping the rewards of their labour. These women don’t just face economic hardship; they endure a web of systemic inequalities that restrict their progress, dim their potential, and amplify their struggles”, she bemoaned.

“According to the National Bureau of Statistics (2020), 70% of Nigerians below the poverty line are women. North Central Nigeria has a 57.3% poverty rate among women, versus 45.5% among men. Women face education barriers, with a 59.3% literacy rate compared to 74.4% for men (UNDP, 2020). Only 21% of women engage in paid employment (ILO, 2020). These statistics represent restricted opportunities and lost potential”, she stated further.

While contextualizing the challenges that make it difficult for women to break the cycle of poverty, Dr. Zainab Marwa noted that “in predominantly Muslim areas, cultural noprioritizeioritise early marriage for girls, which can limit their educational opportunities. A woman from a rural community may face significant barriers to owning land because of traditional inheritance favoring male relatives.

“In urban settings, women from low-income backgrounds may struggle to access quality healthcare. Intersectionality encourages us to consider how gender, along with factors like ethnicity, marital status, and location, affects a woman’s experience of poverty. For example, a widowed woman in a rural area faces different challenges than a married woman in a city, impacting their access to resources and risk of violence.”

She said intersectionality is a strong reminder that gender and poverty do not exist in isolation but rather intersect in ways that amplify women’s vulnerabilities.

According to to this this intersection of challenges goes beyond the day-to-day struggles for survival. Women in North Central Nigeria experience the compounding effects of poverty in deeply gendered ways facing not only economic exclusion but also cultural marginalization that diminishes their voices and overlooks their contributions. Despite their efforts, women remain largely invisible in the economic and social fabric of their communities, perpetuating cycles of both poverty and disempowerment.

“Women in North Central Nigeria, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, confront simultaneous barriers to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Contextual factors, including cultural norms and patriarchal systems, perpetuate inequality. Addressing these issues necessitates a deep understanding of power dynamics, and recognizing the potential of women’s empowerment initiatives to effect change.”

To address these challenges, she said there must be a thorough act of actionable implementation andectivedprogramming programsfacefacetedprocreatingcreatingnglacreatingchangeis, she said, including economic empowerment, vocational training and skills programs, community-based social protection initiatives, improved access to healthcare, education, n, and programs, and deployment of technology as a powerful tool for expanding financial inclusion and access to essential services.

“By implementing these interconnected strategies, we can create a supportive ecosystem that empowers women, enabling them to break free from the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities”, she added.

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Thou saith the lord, make AIG Fayoade Adegoke the new IG of police, prophet Ikuru tells Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

December 19, 2024

Sahara Weekly

By Collins Nkwocha

The prophetic hall of fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry is one of the leading prophets on the African continent, having witnessed the fulfilment of numerous stunning prophecies, prophet Ikuru is indeed God’s mouthpiece and oracle of the End time.

Prophet Ikuru who was on the mountain for seven days to seek the face of God has told the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make AIG Fayoade Adegoke the Inspector General of police to bring the needed transformation and reform in the police ” I love this country and I will continue to love this country, it’s because I love this country that God keep giving revelations concerning the nation,God said that I should tell the president to make AIG Fayoade Adegoke the new IG of police in Nigeria because God is interested in the affairs of the police in Nigeria,as a prophet of God, I’m mandated to bring hope and restoration to people, that’s exactly what I’m doing”

AIG Adegoke heads the Zone 2 Headquarters in Onikan, Lagos.He is one of the police officers that has distinguished himself and shown that he has what is required to make the Nigerian police effective and efficient.

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Welcome back to Lagos, prophet applauds Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Sahara Weekly

As the president of the federal republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu arrives Lagos for Yuletide, the prophet of the nation,the prophetic hall of fame, prophet Godwin Ikuru of Jehovah Eye Salvation Ministry has expressed his utmost delight in seeing the president return to Lagos,a state he resided and ruled for 8 years before he became the president.

Prophet Ikuru reiterated that the president is navigating the nation through obstacles, impediments and would ultimately make Nigeria a dream nation ” I want to officially welcome Mr.president back to Lagos, he’s a man that i love so much because he has also given so much for this nation,God will continue to bless him as he navigates the nation through this difficult period”

He urged Nigerians to keep faith with the president because his reform programmes are genuine and would ultimately be to the boon of the country

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Foundation offers free medical care to over 300 widows, orphans

Published

6 days ago

December 15, 2024

Sahara Weekly

In a society where the less privileged are often overlooked, the Mercy Ogbuehi Widows & Orphans Foundation has bridged the gap by reaching out to help.

Founded by Barrister Nnenna Uchegbu, the foundation was established in honour of her late mother, Lolo Mercy Ogbuehi.

The Late Lolo Mercy Ogbuehi was a woman who embodied generosity in its purest form.

“She was accommodating, charitable, and homely,” said the foundation’s secretary, Oladipupo Uchechukwu Stephen. “She welcomed children who were not her own and ensured no one left her small buka (local restaurant) hungry.”

Her buka, situated in a remote town somewhere in Abia State, Nigeria became more than a place for meals; it was a haven for the community. Mercy’s innate ability to care for others, especially the less privileged, became the cornerstone of her daughter’s vision. Barrister Nnenna sought to expand on her mother’s acts of kindness, creating a foundation dedicated to uplifting widows, orphans, and the less privileged.

One of the foundation’s unique goals is its emphasis on empowerment through education and skill acquisition.

As Oladipupo explained, “We don’t just equip people with what to eat; we teach them how to get what to eat. It’s the essence of the proverb: Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”

Since its inception, the foundation has been running free skill acquisition programs, beginning with two classes in catering and industrial training in 2017. Today, the programs have expanded to include seven to eight fields, such as fashion design, shoemaking, hairdressing, computer literacy, and more.

Graduates of these programs are equipped not just with knowledge but with tools to jumpstart their careers. Participants in fashion design receive sewing machines, those with computer literacy are given brand-new laptops, and catering graduates are provided with essential equipment or startup funds.

“This December 19th marks our 15th graduation ceremony,” Oladipupo proudly noted. “We’ll empower widows with sewing machines and others with tools and funds to bring their skills to life.”

Over the past seven years, the foundation has grown into a hub of opportunity for many. Its focus on sustainability ensures that participants not only acquire skills but also build livelihoods that last.

The foundation also caters to the younger generation through its annual summer coaching programs. These sessions are open to orphans and children from the community, offering educational support that goes beyond the classroom. “This is not just for children within the foundation but for all children in the community,” Oladipupo emphasized.

Beyond education and skills training, the foundation recognizes the importance of healthcare for the less privileged. Friday Ogbuehi, the foundation’s director and brother to Barrister Nnenna, noted their impactful medical outreach programs.

“Our medical outreach aims to attend to about 350 beneficiaries, primarily widows and orphans,” Friday shared. These outreaches offer services like pulse, blood pressure, and blood sugar monitoring, as well as massages, dental care, and free medications. “We ensure that every participant leaves healthier and more informed about their well-being.”

What began as a small gesture of kindness in a local buka has grown into a robust foundation impacting lives in numerous ways. The foundation not only supports immediate needs but also builds a future for the underprivileged through empowerment and education.

“Through the foundation, we are honouring my mother’s legacy by creating a lasting impact,” said Friday.

The “Graduation/Christmas Party for the newly trained Widows and Orphans is scheduled for the 19th of December 2024.

The 2024 Children’s Christmas Party was held on Saturday 14th of December. The event began with a prayer session for the Children and later lots of fun as the DJ played music for the children to dance. The children also played games and received gift packs from the Foundation.

One of the high points of the December programs was the “Shop 4 Free” held on Tuesday 17th of December 2024. All the Widows, Orphans, and other less privileged members of the community were given access to shop without paying a dime. Available wear, shoes, sandals, fabrics, clothing, kitchen utensils, etc.