The Edo State Government in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) Women and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has provided palliative packages to women in Edo State.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Gender Issues, Hon. Mrs. Maria Edeko, said the items were distributed to women in Abudu in Orhionmwon Local Government Area (LGA) and Uromi in Esan North East, LGA, specifically to Women Living with Disabilities, aged women, People Living with HIV and widows.
The Commissioner said the palliative packages were made available with the support and assistance of UN Women, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Edo State Government and the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Gender Issues.
She added, “We have decided to come to Orhionmwon first because it has a lot of victims of Human Trafficking and it is densely populated.
“The palliative package is meant to cushion the effect of COVID-19, and we are to ensure it reaches the grassroots. The steering committee for the project is made up of various groups, including Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Ministry staff. They are here to present the items to them.
“The items we are distributing include noodles, rice, beans, palm oil, garri, detergent soaps, seasoning, salt and nose masks. We are grateful to all the collaborators who made this possible.”
The Vice Chairperson, Joint National Association of Persons Living with Disability and leader, women with disabilities, Edo State, Comr. Ann Obehi Ojiugo, expressed deep appreciation to Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, for his reforms on inclusive governance.
“We have never had it so good like this in Edo State. The Governor is a man that runs an administration of inclusiveness. That is why he allowed the people with disabilities to benefit from the palliatives. People Living with Disabilities are the worst hit in this COVID-19 period, because we could not go anywhere to source for our daily bread. Today, we have food at our doorstep,” she said.
A beneficiary of the relief materials at Abudu in Orhionmwon LGA, Mrs. Cecilia Ajayi, said she was very grateful to the federal and state governments for the gesture and pledged her support for government’s programmes.
