OUR PURPOSE
Many of the women in
Nigeria largely live in poverty. Their personal poverty is a lot more pervading
than that of men and this threatens the very survival and health of the nation.
Taking a comprehensive survey of the welfare of women in our community, 15%
that are gainfully employed earn a monthly wage of between 100,000-150,000
naira which is approximately $397.46.
40% of the women engage in small scale businesses,
while 45% are fully committed to unpaid care work and domestic chores which has
kept them in a cycle of continuous frustration and unfulfillment as they are
totally dependent on their spouses for the general welfare of the family, and
their personal needs.
On the other hand, 23% of adolescent girls in our
community, aged 15-19 years became mothers or pregnant with their first child.
Adolescent pregnancy comes with myriads of immediate consequences which
adversely affect the health, education, income earning potential and to a large
extent, alters the course of their entire life. They are also exposed to
complications such as obstetric fistula basically due to their body not fully
developed physically to accommodate healthy pregnancy, illness and untimely
death. The urgent need for a holistic approach in addressing this menace and
supporting a better life for women and girls is the core purpose of this
initiative.
Women's empowerment is a
critical aspect of achieving gender equality. It includes increasing a woman's
self-worth, her decision-making power, her access to opportunities and
resources, her power and control over her own life and her ability to effect a
change in her society.
Female empowerment in Nigeria is an economic
process that involves empowering Nigerian women as a poverty
reduction measure. Empowerment is the development of women in term of politics,
social and economic strength in nation development. It is also a way of
reducing women's vulnerability and dependency in all spheres of life. It can be
noted that the aggregate of educational, political, health and legal
empowerment are key to women's empowerment in Nigeria. Like many African
women, Nigerian women have a subordinate role to their male counterparts. There
are twice as many women below the poverty line than men, and up to 19 times as
many men in executive positions than women.
When equal opportunities are given to both
men and women in all areas of life, there will be constant growth and
development in every sector of our society.
Girls Must Be Empowered seeks for the general
well-being of women and girls in various rural communities in the Federal
Capital Territory which is categorically in the Northern part of Nigeria where
gender issues are prevalent.
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