- Decries the rise in cases of rape
Addressing newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday, IWS President, Mrs Nkoli Ogbolu, urged government agencies at all levels to curb the menace in view of its traumatic effects on women and girls.
“We decry rape in all its manifestations because it is against the very core of our being for somebody to desecrate our bodies.
“We hope that we have a listening government who will bring the accusers of this barbaric act to book and end these rape issues threatening our society,” the women leader said.
Ogbolu said that the society had adopted advocacy as a means of addressing the rape issues in line with the 21st century challenges.
“Hitherto, we were not doing advocacy. We were just a charity organisation focused on empowering women and children.
“Rape issue is a topical issue globally and we are in discussion with experts on this matter so that we can be dynamic in the things we do.
“We want to be influencers in the statutes and bills that will legislate for things like rape to stop,” she said.
Mrs Ibiwunmi Akinnola, IWS Vice President, said that the society was experiencing donor fatigue and seeking alternative sources of funding by levying its members.
Akinnola called for more women participation to join their cause so that the society could open up more chapters across the country.
She also urged government at all levels and corporate organisations to partner with the society.
She said they could do this is by providing funds, buildings and vehicles that would help propagate the humanitarian works for which the society was established.
“Fifty thousand naira can change the life of a widow totally and so we are appealing for more partners in every sector to partner with us so that we can better more lives of widows.
“Apart from funding, we need more buildings that can be used for schools and skills acquisition centres as well as safe houses for widows and the rehabilitation of rape victims,” she said.
Mrs Feyisola Abiru, Chairperson, IWS Skills Centre, said over 1,600 students had graduated in different vocations at its skills acquisition centre since the beginning of 2019.
Abiru said that the vocations are: Beauty and Salon, Sewing and Fashion, Adult Literacy, Computer Literacy and Catering and Events Management.
She also said that students were exposed to acquiring soft skills such as etiquettes, managing staff, keeping customers and using the social media as a medium to promote their businesses.
“We have also been able to access the Lagos State loan scheme for entrepreneurs which is a start up fund of N250,000 expected to be paid back by the students,” she said.
Mrs Dolapo Coker, IWS Chairperson for Scholarship, said that a few organisations like the Lebanese Women Society partnered with IWS to give scholarships to some of its students.
“We are appealing for more support from the government because if they do, we will be able to extend our reach and set the platform for tomorrow, and a better place,” she said.
Coker also appreciated the Chinese Ladies Association, Embassy of Hungary Trade Office, International Women Organisation for Charity and the various schools within Lagos for their support.
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