A Non-Governmental Organisation has given its support towards advancement, Networking and development of women and children in areas of health enhancement as a mean to observe this year’s International Women’s Day.
The project was formally launched at STAND foundation’s secretariat office in Ibadan on Friday.
While speaking on the foundation and women’s day theme; “Think equal; build better”, the initiator of the project Barr. Olusayo Adeleye said that the distribution of kits will follow a scheduled time table that would run across selected villages in Oyo State throughout the year, saying: “Based on the belief that a balanced world Is a better world and there can never be a gender-balanced world if women do not have good health”.
Adeleye added that everyone has a role to play in enhancing gender equality because gender balance is not just a women’s issue but also has an economic relevance”.
She said the distribution of delivery kits to pregnant women will reduced maternal and neo-natal mortality rate especially in the areas where there is little or no access to basic medical facilities.
“Speaking on the project’s sustainability beyond 2019, she reiterated that STAND foundation will embark on other programmes that would touch all issues of life in the course of the year” she said
Adeleye urged women to take their position in ensuring a balanced world in order to have a good health and safety.
Also speaking at the event the chief operating officer of Beth-Zion Ventures, Ms Yejide Gbenga-Ogundare said many societies have moved from women having pregnancy related issues to women succeeding in a man’s world as stereotypes are being challenge and more diverse representation of women is seen.
She added that there is a lot to do especially in a developing nation like Nigeria since there is a continuous need for a more progressive mindset and inclusive behaviours for women’s equality and a continuous effort to make positive gains.
“we are moving to a very exciting time in history where the world now expects gender balance and parity but if women continue to suffer from avoidable diseases and loses their lives unnecessary what is the essence of the economic advancement they now enjoy? In 2017 ,we were told to be bold for change while we were told to press for progress during the 2018 celebration of the international women’s day ” she said.
Gbenga-Ogundare ,however called on women to continue to play a critical role in helping forge a more gender -balance world and work towards the theme, Balance for better.
In his keynote address, the Local Government Chairman of Akinyele South Local Council Area, Mr. Olumide Alli said that Oyo State had been supporting women to actualize their potentials.
He promised to continue to support women especially in area of health care delivery and to make sure that our health care system delivery is intact.
