There is a valid reason for the way we look at and the importance we attach to issues that concern women and children. You could ascribe it to so many factors, depending on how it affects you and your ideology. However, in the end, you will still come to that point where women and children are seen as the hearts, conscience and fabrics of any society. The idea of development, in whatever form, cannot be complete if women and children do not play a significant role in its actualization. In art, science, technology, education, politics and other defining fields of human pride and breakthroughs, women have found their proud place. And so do children. There is a litany of examples of what this special group represent to each of us. We could go on and on with them. Women and children are super special.
Since were are all in agreement with each fact that has been laid out to support the immense strength that women and children possess in the quest for a society that works, we may now need to ask ourselves vital questions as to the kind of platform we are building for the future of this group. Over the years, we have witnessed the “invention” of so many ambitious – most times politicized – phrases that try to reawaken national and international consciousness to how imperative it is to give women and children a voice. Household expressions such as “Women Empowerment,” “Gender Equality/Inequality,” “Women Emancipation,” “Women Development,” “Women Mobilization,” “Gender Law,” “Women in Politics.” Others coinages like “Child Rights,” “Child Law,” “Child Protection,” “Child Advocacy,” and “Children Empowerment”, have also found their ways in the circles of public conversations. We may not begin to identify each of these neologisms and how successful they have become. However, what is at the disposal of our understanding is that they were formed to advance the aspirations, concerns and interests of women and children in different critical areas of life.
It is also quite intriguing that most of the foundational goals for which some of the movements and campaigns above were formed, have still not been addressed till today. It presents a rather sore question before us as a society. The question of effort and that of sincere commitment. The question of will and genuine responsibility. The landscape is still very much tortuous, in sight and in texture. We are still grappling with rising cases of child labour, trafficking, domestic violence, sexual violence against women and girls, abuse of minors, torture and neo-slavery. Mothers are selling off their babies for money. Defilement of minors and heinous cases of sexual exploitations have become the new normal. Then you ask yourself: “How did we lose it?” The spate of moral degradation and decadence summons serious concern. How did we get here? The answers we give may or may not matter at the moment. But they will at least point us to the moments of missteps and negligence. Perhaps, the reawakening that we so much desire now may begin from those moments of self-introspection.
Few weeks ago, I presented a keynote address at a convention organized by a group of Christian women in Anambra State. They had asked me to speak on a topic I found much interest in. It was about raising the kind of youths we want to lead the future of our dear state. They called them godly youths. I drew their attention to the negligence of today’s parents, mothers in focus, and how inappropriate child raising methods have ruined so many homes, and in extension, our society. Of course, the government shares in the blame, and I agree. However, there is not much that the government can do for a child whose parenting history does not offer satisfaction. So I say it to all of us here today, shaping tomorrow’s landscape is also our responsibility. The place we reserve for our women and children today will ultimately determine the mileage of their vision and the strength of their ambition. I believe in the undoubted potentials of Anambra women and children. I believe that the policies we are instituting today will be a stepping stone for everyone of them to live, dream and succeed.
“The People’s Manifesto;” a comprehensive road map for my husband’s administration, dedicates ample pages to what our government plans for women and children. Today, I am excited to announce to you that we have already hit the ground running with the implementation of several policies that support the inclusive masterplan of our administration. The current regime in Anambra State recognizes the indispensable position of our women and children in the livable and prosperous homeland vision. The re-modernization of Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme has widened the opportunities for accessible and affordable health care delivery for every resident of the state. Currently, antenatal care and delivery services are 100% free in all public health facilities in the state. Through partnerships with reputable international development partners, vaccinations for polio, rotavirus, measles and other child-killer diseases have been made free of charge. Soon, we will be giving out the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to our women and girls free of costs
We have also provided thousands of delivery kits and anti-shock garments to tackle maternal and infant deaths. Three general hospitals in the three senatorial zones of Anambra State have been fully upgraded to match international picture. Primary Health Centres that were left in decay have now been fully rehabilitated. Our emergency ambulance system is fully operational and you can now call 112 in the event of any emergency and the nearest ambulance will respond in minutes. Our novel telemedicine structure is addressing serious health emergencies. Anambra State is now placed second just a few point behind Lagos in the ranking of states with the lowest number of Under-5 mortality in Nigeria. Basic education, from nursery to junior secondary three, is completely free. While students from SS1 to SS3 must not pay anything fee more than five thousand Naira. In recognition of the human capital strength of our women, our administration is close to hitting the 35% affirmative action on women in governance. It would interest you to know that many key public positions in Anambra State are headed by women
The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare has been strengthened to address cases of child abuse, domestic violence, trafficking, wrong cultural practices against women and children, and related issues. Through the dogged intervention of the Ministry, many cases have either been identified or solved. Anambra is now the second state after Lagos to establish a special magistrate court to try cases of child abuse, gender-based violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, violence against women and girls and related cases. Graciously, these systematic approaches have quenched the previously ugly tide. Our administration has also opened up empowerment opportunities for women through job creation, agriculture, economic opportunities, digital skills and innovative enterprises
To complement these significant efforts, my non-governmental crusade; Healthy Living with Nonye Initiative, has made important inroads in correcting the ideologies of our people on healthy living and its related principles. We have already set up the programme in both primary and secondary schools as part of extracurricular school activities, with over a thousand members currently wearing the badge. A critical objective of our healthy living crusade is to propagate education and awareness on nutrition and hygiene, and the traditional essence of food as medicine. We hope to use the crusade to teach our people common health habits that can cut down sicknesses and save lives. The initiative is also pushing through reforms of social habits and moral responsibilities in children and youths. We are also engaging women and youths to play a leading role in the domestication of the campaign across the state
In all, my dear brothers and sisters, you can see that our commitment as an administration is watertight. Bearing in mind that we have a time-bound responsibility to create the best environment for our women and children to prosper, we are pursuing each target with every sense of keenness and cutting edge vision. We have made incredible progress. But we are not stopping. Ours is a government that does not rest on its oars. Undoubtedly, a great future is guaranteed for Anambra women and childre
Written by NONYE SOLUDO
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