OWOG Brings succour to widows, orphans ay yuletide

From time immemorial, societies despite discriminations have relied on the prowess of women and the moral foundation provided by women has proved uniquely beneficial to the common good of humanity.Though the sacrifices are challenging but oftentimes, the society is not conducive for them to discharge their entire God-given goals. The many roles of contemporary woman were some of the issues discussed recently at the 7th annual empowerment program powered by Oasis Women Organisation (OWOG) in Lagos recently.Members of Oasis Women Organisation and Prof Kolawole Raheem presenting refrigerator to one of the beneficiarySpeaking on womanhood and the many sacrifices, Founder of OWOG, Erelu Mojisola Adams agreed that gender issues are integral part of the many sacrifices women make.She maintained that despite the many challenges, an ideal woman should champion womanhood and detest anything that will project womanhood in negative light.“Women bear the larger share of the problems of unrest. The society is not conducive for women to perform the roles nature bestow on them but in the face of all these, the ideal woman should champion womanhood and detest anything that will not promote womanhood. Women’s moral influence is nowhere more powerfully felt than in the home. There is no better setting for rearing children than the generational home where the parents live in harmony,” she noted in her address.Also highlighting the many roles of women in the society, retired Philosophy Teacher, University of Lagos Professor Sophie Oluwole stressed that women who are nation builders should always engage in positive ventures so as to augment their husband’s income and for them to be economically viable.“No society can survive without women because we are not just homebuilders, we are agents of change. I want to encourage women not to be onlookers but they should be agents of positive change in the society,” she said.The highlight of the occasion was the economic empowerment of 12 indigent widows and five orphans. The widows who according to Adams were selected without favouritism explained that OWOG is committed to alleviating the many sufferings of widows in the society.One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Gbenga Fayombo who got an embroidery machine at the occasion said her husband died in April 2014 after being sick for many months. The mother of four who since then has been living from hand to mouth said the machine will help her to feed her children.Another beneficiary who identified herself as Mulikat Lawal after receiving her gift pack from OWOG said, she has being longing to purchase a refrigerator for over 18 months to aid her in selling sachet water but she has not been able to raise the needed sum.“This is a big relief and I can’t thank God enough for counting me worthy to be a partaker of these great blessing. I sell Pure (sachet) water and I have been trying all this while to raise money so as to purchase a refrigerator, all my efforts have been fruitless, this is a big relief. I will live the rest of my life to cherish OWOG.”Speaking with Daily Independent shortly after the presentations, Adams said OWOG was born out of her passion for putting smiles on the faces of the less-privileged in the society. “I live my life for the under-privileged and this is what makes me happy. It is not easy doing all these annually without the backings of government or donor agencies but I am a fulfilled woman because we are opportune to make some people happy. From time to time we assist women and children. I work with a wonderful team and I am over joyous because we have achieved a lot since inception. We won’t relent in doing more and assisting humanity in whatever way we can.”National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Gani Adams who is the spouse of the founder of OWOG, was on hand to lend support to the group.Addressing the participants and beneficiaries of the gifts enjoined members of the group to look beyond accolades and gratifications but carry out their humanitarian acts diligently without seeking any reward.Adams charged the women beneficiaries to be prudent in the use of the wares and materials given them to support their families and leave a mark of difference to humanity.

2015 Prophecy by Pastor Adeboye

 General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has released his 2015 prophecy with a call on the world to embark on intense prayers against massive earthquakes, strong hurricane and typhoons.The respected clergy man said God has directed that the people on earth must pray against massive calamities in 2015.In his 2015 prophecy, a copy of which was obtained by Daily Independent on Thursday,

PROJECT ALERT!

The project was launched in November 2007, during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. The journal is meant to keep members of the public in general, and stakeholders in particular, informed of all activities being carried out under the project; and activities by other organizations focusing on involving men and boys. Outside contributions to the journal, are welcomed Beacon of Hope: Women’s Human Rights CasesPublished in July 2008, by Project Alert on Violence Against Women, and edited by Mrs Funmi Quadri, a lawyer and publisher of law books,Beacon of Hope is a compilation of some judgments given on women’s human rights cases in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal and other superior courts of record.2007Male Involvement in Eliminating Violence Against WomenPublished in March 2007, this is a report of the first set of consultative forums on the role of men in eliminating violence against women/young girls in Ebonyi State. Organized by Project Alert, it was sequel to the passage of the domestic violence law in the state. The forums took place in the three senatorial zones in the state - Abakaliki, Onueke and Afikpo. The aim of the forum was to sensitize participants especially men on the existence of the law on Domestic Violence that was recently passed by the state house of assembly.Report of Partnership Workshop on Responding to Gender Based Violence in Lagos State Published in October 2007, the publication is a report of a partnership workshop for state and non-state institutions/ministries/organizations that provide services to abused women/young girls in Lagos State, on responding to reported cases of gender-based violence. Organised in partnership with CLEEN Foundation, the two-day workshop was attended by representatives of the ministries of Women Affairs, Youth Sports and Development (Social Welfare Department); Health; Justice; the Police; NGOs and the media.2006Responding to Gender-Based Violence: A Tool BookThis tool book is aimed at addressing the insensitivity and lack of knowledge often displayed by law enforcement officials especially the police when confronted with cases of gender-based violence, especially domestic violence, rape and incest. It also provides a guide to victims, on immediate steps to take after being abused. It is meant to be a daily companion to all those, whose duty it is, to provide one form of service or the other to female victims of violence.2005Sophia’s Place: Experiences Running the First Battered Women’s Shelter in NigeriaThis is the report of an evaluation study of the organisation’s shelter project known as Sophia’s Place. The study was conducted in 2004, while the report was published in 2005. The main aim of the evaluation study, was to assess the impact of its services on the lives of its ex-residents, their families, and the society as a whole. The study was also to evaluate the implementation of this perceived “originally western concept of shelter”  in the Nigerian context in general, and Project Alert’s experiences running it.No Safe Haven. 2004-2005This is an annual report of attacks on women and young girls in Nigeria. Annually since 2000, Project Alert conducts print monitoring of five newspapers daily, to compile reported cases of abuse of women (physically and sexually). This it compiles, edit, and publishes during the 16 Days of Activism as part of its activities during the period, annually.

HELP FOR 50 WIDOWS IN IMO STATE

VOICE OF CARE MINISTRY rehabilitates and helps the poor, abandoned indigent women & widows in villages of Imo state who are marginalized and exploited. The challenges will be addressed through their legal, social & economic empowerment. This will also result in developing human consciousness & bring about a wide change in attitudes of the society towards such women.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Alarming number of rural women live in dire misery who are either widows or abandoned by their husbands including HIV women. They are treated as outcasts by their own & husband's family. These women many times with children, are thrown out, live on subsistence, are exploited. Voice of care mainstreams these women's lives through campaigns & actions about their social & legal status, empowers with knowledge-attitude skills to fight for themselves & provide food for them.

How will this project solve this problem?

The project will reach these women with information, awareness and training on their legal and social rights to property and maintenance (especially regarding houses and agriculture land); on personality development & leadership, on AIDS, on better farming practices; help them avail of available government relief schemes, loans for setting up trades & businesses. The project will reach at least 50 widows and would rehabilitate, empower them and give them sense of belonging in the society.

Potential Long Term Impact

The project will be an opportunity for these abandoned women to get rehabilitated & become an integral part of society, to stand on their own feet, improve their children's lives, gain acknowledgement, respect from family & society, not only as beneficiaries but also as contributors to the growth. Today they are outcasts, exploited, many times also sexually, viewed with superstition. The project would especially result in changing attitude of rural society to such women to a large extent.

THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN

THE ISSUE: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Physical, sexual and psychological violence strikes women in epidemic proportions worldwide. It crosses every social and economic class, every religion, race and ethnicity. From domestic abuse to rape as a weapon of war, violence against women is a gross violation of their human rights. Not only does it threaten women's health and their social and economic well-being, violence also thwarts global efforts to reduce poverty.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Support our workon behalf of women and girls worldwide.Violence is, however, preventable. Although no silver bullet will eliminate it, a combination of efforts that address income, education, health, laws and infrastructure can significantly reduce violence and its tragic consequences. First and foremost, abusive behavior towards women must be viewed as unacceptable. Communities need to have an important role in defining solutions to violence and providing support to victims. And men must be engaged in the process too, as agents of change standing alongside women to end violence.If the world does not address the issue, it stands to suppress the enormous potential of women and girls. When they feel safe, when they are empowered, women and girls can be game-changers. The catalyst for the next great innovation. The leaders of a more just world. The driving force behind stronger economies.

OUR ROLE

ICRW employs a multifaceted approach to reducing violence against women. We conduct empirical research to better understand the incidence of violence, costs associated with it and factors that lead to it. We also are building evidence on interventions designed to prevent violence against women, particularly comprehensive approaches that include economically empowering women, involving boys and men, protecting survivors of violence and rehabilitating men who are abusive. ICRW is examining the policy dimensions of violence prevention by evaluating the impact of and challenges to existing legislation and using our findings to advocate for stronger, more effective laws. Finally, ICRW participates in strategic regional and global networks that work to strengthen civil society and advance the field of preventing violence against women.