An Abuja Based Non-Governmental Organisation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, has identified empowerment of rural women as key to food security and curtailment of malnutrition.
The President and Founder of the NGO, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, said this at a ceremony to mark the 2021 International Day for Rural Women (IDRW) on Friday, in Abuja.
Ahmadu said Oct. 15, every year, was set aside to mark IDRW to create awareness on the plight of rural women in FCT and the country at large.
She called on government at all levels to ensure the inclusion of rural women to enhance agriculture and eradicate rural poverty.
She said this year’s IDRW with theme: “Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All” was in line with ongoing programmes by the foundation to encourage access to food.
Ahmadu said that training and empowerment of rural women was also in line with the foundation’s plans to cushion hardships associated with their environment.
“Rural women and girls play essential roles in food system in Nigeria from production, processing, consumption, distribution and securing household and community nutrition, yet they are discriminated against in the homes, society and work place.
“The result is lack of access to food leading to hunger, malnutrition, under nutrition, and food insecurity across the country.
“The theme for this year’s celebration would address neglect of rural women and make government remember them in policy making,” she said.
Ahmadu said the organization had embarked on periodic training and empowerment of rural women in some selected communities in the six area councils of the FCT and its suburbs.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Maria Afiniki, said she had learnt a lot through the training and was also empowered.
She urged government to support genuine NGOs to assist rural women.
