Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has expressed concern over the global emergency of COVID-19, appealing to citizens, especially women/mothers to comply with state directives and adhere to basic guidelines in order to stay safe.
Tallen made the call in Abuja while briefing journalists on the gender dimension on the virus, noting that the additional burden of home and community management given the poor financial health status of most families and weak supply chains will be enormous while family relations will be severely strained.
She appealed to corporate organisations and well-meaning businessmen and women to understand the peculiar predicament of women in managing homes at this crucial time and extend support and palliative measures to buffer the homes and assist the ministry in
safeguarding lives.
“Stock food, vegetable and water, be extra cautious in sourcing water, firewood and local herbs, stock adequate sanitary materials including soap, detergents,disinfectants and personal toiletries. Sanitisation instructions including washing hands with soap and water, use of sanitisers and fumigation of the home and environments,” she stated.
The minister lauded the steps taken to limit people’s movement, public gathering, closure of schools and the ultimate “stay at home” directives, saying women as the family focal person and central home managers are the fulcrum of survival at the home level.
She further appealed to all commissioners of Women Affairs at the state level to rise up to the challenge and be proactive in supporting women and children through this trying period, charging them to ensure a well-coordinated approach in managing the home level dimensions to the
pandemic.
“All state commissioners of Women Affairs are kindly requested to
update the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, on a daily basis to mitigate the negative impact of the virus on families,” she said.
The minister further charged all women groups and organisations at all levels, including faith based and grassroots organisations, to respect constituted authority and adhere to all government directives on hosting of public events such as village meetings, town meetings, weddings,burials, celebrations and all festive activities, stressing that life is wealth and staying alive guarantees the opportunity to enjoy long life.
