Mothers, no doubt, are our superheroes and biggest supporters. They are our first, best and forever friends. When you are looking at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will ever know. Mothers are like glue. Even when you cannot see them, they are still holding the family together.

And that is why the wife of the governor of Anambra State, Dr Ebelechukwu Obiano, few days ago, mobilized women within and outside the Anambra state in the 2021 famous Mothers’ Summit in Awka.

It would be recalled that the Anambra State Government, in July 2007, institutionalized Mothers’ Summit as an annual celebration. Since Osodieme came on board, it has become a platform that provides the panacea for continuous engagement with communities and to strengthen further, the grass root development paradigm currently being experienced in the State.

This year’s summit, whose theme is: “Fighting Gender-based Violence in a COVID-19 World”, presents a unique opportunity to critically evaluate the fundamental challenges faced by women, children, Persons with Disability and other vulnerable groups.

Available statistics reveal that thirty percent of women and girls in Nigeria, aged between fifteen and forty-nine, are experiencing one form of abuse or the other, and with the health restrictions caused by COVID-19 pandemic, social observers fear that more persons would be affected. It was as a result of these tensions that the governor’s wife, Osodieme, Mama Anambra, insisted that more emphasis be placed on tackling the issue in the area of awareness creation and grassroots sensitization.

Notably, Dr. Mrs. Obiano’s NGO, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative, CAFE, stands at the forefront of the campaign against any form of violence against women. CAFÉ has trained and empowered indigent women and youths and has helped to boost self-reliance among vulnerable women.

Furthermore, Dr Mrs Obiano, as at the last count, has built about 30 brand new bungalows and handed over, free of charge, to indigent widows across Anambra State. CAFE has equally constructed 32 modern public toilets in rural markets across the State. Also, to assist women in hard-to-reach communities, Osodieme has completed about 57 water borehole projects to complement government efforts in water supply.

In the same vein, Osodieme has facilitated free corrective surgeries for over 200 children and persons with congenital mouth disorders of Cleft lip and Cleft palate. CAFÉ has also provided over 3,000 physically challenged persons with prosthetic limbs and mobility aides. Perhaps, the most impactful and enduring programme of the NGO is in the promotion of human capital development with over 6,000 beneficiary women, widows and physically challenged trained and empowered in various skills under its Skills Training and Empowerment programme. All these acts of humanity by her Excellency, have earned her recognitions, awards and decorations, both home and abroad.

Mothers should, however, complement Osodieme’s efforts to uplift women and the girl-child. They must always observe the behavior of their children, and ensure that they are always occupied with fruitful ventures because duty lies on everyone to rid the society of anti- social activities.

Again, there is the need for an enabling legislation against gender-based violence and legal framework against household violence against women and minors. There is no doubt that the fight against gender-based violence requires an approach that is both liberating and self-sustaining, though, socio-economic emancipation remains the shortest route to ending the ugly trend.

There is also the need for proper awareness, sex education and strengthening of economic status of low-income families as some solutions to gender-based violence.

Admittedly, the summit has helped to expose the women to various societal issues, which they need to tackle for positive living. Dr Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, Osodieme, Mama Anambra should be commended for being a shining example to women and for empowering them with equipment such as garri grinding machine, palm kernel processing machine and other donations.

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