Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
The Anambra State Government has expressed desire to partner United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for the promotion of the girl child and the women rights in the State.
This was made known by the State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, when the Ministry played host to a team from the body on Thursday.
During the visit, UNFPA handed over about 500 dignity kits to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare as part of the package to respond to the needs of women and girls affected by the flood crisis.
Appreciating the wonderful gesture of UNPAF, Madam Ify Obinabor said there is need for continued partnership with UNFPA in providing and protecting the rights of women and children in the state.
She assured that the consignments will get to the appropriate persons and also stated that “in as much as some of the flood victims have gone back to their various homes, they went back with nothing so these kits will be of great support to them.”
Continuing, she said: “On behalf of Umunwayi Ndi Anambra, I thank you immensely for this wonderful gesture, just like Oliver Twist we look forward to receiving more interventions from you.”
In his reaction, the Humanitarian Coordinator of UNFPA, Mr Macaulay Sabum Christian, stated that women and girls are worse hit when disasters like floods occur because of their vulnerability.
He said “three out of every ten women are already victims of gender-based violence and this current flood situation makes it even worse.
He noted that the United Nations Population Fund has the mandate to support the state government in every emergency, to put in place protection and responsive channels in addressing issues of Gender Base Violence.
“UNFPA has brought in for the first consignment, 500 dignity kits to address the immediate hygiene needs and other aspects of none food item needs of women and girls who are under displacement.”
He also noted that UNFPA has other capacity-building programmes for government partners to provide services like the clinical management of rape cases and rape case survival, mental case health and psychological support etc.
