The Spotlight Initiative and The EU-UN have presented goods worth millions of naira to graduate beneficiaries of theLivelihood Pathway Programme under United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to empower women and girls in Nigeria.
The Livelihood Pathway Programme for GBV survivors and vulnerable women and girls is a sustained and proactive intervention to empower women and girls to eliminate poverty and violence against women and girls in Nigeria implemented by Foundation for Resilient Empowerment and Development (FRED).
The graduation ceremony is an output of the livelihood pathway programme in commemoration of 16 Days of Activism, which places a strong emphasis on human rights and the need to empower women and girls thereby providing a platform for them to thrive in all ramifications and eliminating violence against women and girls.
The distribution of the materials which took place on Monday, 13th December, 2021 in Lagos. was put together in conjunction with the UNDP, Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty, alleviation Director Domestic Violence Unit, National Human Rights Commission and National Human Rights Commission.
According to the project Coordinator, Mrs. Rosemary Echewe, she said: “The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated key risk factors for violence against women and girls, including economic and food insecurity, unemployment, and confined living conditions. The lack of economic resources generally makes women and young girls especially those who married as children, particularly vulnerable to violence. Furthermore, the poverty of parents sees many girls sent to work as domestic workers, thereby increasing susceptibility to various forms of violence.”
The Livelihood pathway programme becomes necessary to confront underlying causes and factors related to poverty, economic inequalities, and control over resources that contribute to GBV. Recovery from the impact of Covid-19 to further promote gender equality and eliminate violence against women and girls, women’s empowerment has become crucial.
“Through the livelihood pathway and support programme and economic empowerment schemes, women and girls are empowered with economic resources including food security and employment thereby eliminating poverty and lack of livelihood which contributes to violence against women and girls.”She also said,
The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030.
The Spotlight Initiative is responding to all forms of Violence Against Women And Girls, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence, sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices, trafficking in human beings, and sexual and economic (labour) exploitation.
Nigeria’s poor ranking on the Gender Equality Index reflects the inadequate inclusion of women and girls in decision-making and participation in policy, resource allocation, and economic empowerment. The lack of economic empowerment is a key issue as it reduces women’s choices of negotiation of leaving or remaining in abusive relationships.
Recognizing and responding to the need for economic empowerment of women, The Spotlight Initiative livelihood pathway programme has economically empowered GBV survivors across the spotlight states in vocational training on culinary arts, fashion design, make-up, event planning, decoration, and baking. The beneficiaries include women who are living with disabilities and female sex workers, to ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups facing intersecting forms of discrimination.
Let Zebra News help your business/brand reach a wider audience. Advertise with us today! Contact Our Marketing Team; Tel: 08062622328, 07083662767. Email: zebranewsng@gmail.com
