International Women Day dedicated to celebrate women achievements in life, reflect on contemporary situation as it affects women lives and voice out issues for women development. It is a moment for honoring women achievements and advocating for increasing participation and involvementof women folk in decision making especially on issues affecting their lives.
In communities like Katsina State where women and children grapple with myriad challenges of insecurity, abject poverty, hunger, malnutrition, indecent shelter, disppacement, etc, celebrating this day requires sober reflection and call to actions towards making life safer and better for women and children in Katsina State.
The Reality:
- Women endure displacement and lack of basic needs in the state.
- Insecurity disrupts lives and limits opportunities for them.
This situation calls for;
Balanced Approach: We all need to acknowledged their Struggle, understand their pains more especially those living in rural areas and those migrating to urban communities in the name of displacement by insecurity. Their resilience needs to be recognized by the relevant stakeholders.
Action-Oriented Events: We in the state must and will continue to appreciate the INGO's, CBO's, CSO and other relevant stakeholders for supporting our mothers and daughters in the State by providing their support in food, education, shelter and psychosocial interventions, but more needs to be done.
Advocacy: We are pleading for more push on policies that will address insecurity, hunger and housing. It is disturbing and heartbreaking that despite all measures, we still have women in hundreds passing the night with their children inside uncompleted buildings and on the street which made them vulnerable to dehumanization and all forms of exploitation.
Amplify Voices: We must wake up and create platforms for affected women to share stories and support the Government and other relevant organization for a targeted interventions towards adressing their challenges
Collaboration is Key: There is need for strong bond and collaboration with minds of consciousness if we really want to get out of this mess. The Government most ensure safety for women ans lld children in the state. The NGO's should also identify appropriate partners to work with in raising the flag for their relief support while the Community leaders and CSO's need to support and come up with creative local support and solutions that will end these social injustice against our mothers and daughters.
Celebration should fuel change, not overshadow struggles. Let's honor women by acting on their plight.
Amb Khadija Sulaiman saulawa
Deputy chairman (NYCN) founder of (Queen Dijah Initiative)
