Lockdown: Women going through hardship, group cries out

A Non- Governmental Organization, Women Africa International Foundation, has decried the hardship women are going through as a result of the lockdown order by the federal government to check the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Founder, Woman Africa International Foundation, Rev. Ijeoma Emeribe, who said mothers were weary because they are on the front line of this pandemic, called on the federal government to lift  the lockdown.

“60 per cent of women are petty traders  and they need to sustain their families. They are not  government workers who receive their salaries in whether they go to work or not.

“Also, there has been increase in domestic violence because sources of income have shut down and if the lockdown continues more homes will be destroyed because there is no food at home and the men are frustrated and angry and transfer their anger on the women. Most men are not used to staying at home. Men want their freedom.

“The children are restless at home and every woman needs to go out to get food for her family. So, it is important for us to gather to speak our minds on this so the world can address this situation,” she stated.

While commending the federal government on its effort to combat the pandemic, she however expressed concern for the lack of adequate information on the type of drugs that is being used to treat the Covid-19 patients. 

According to her, “Inability of the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, to tell us  the particular drug used to cure the 1,597 persons is a problem to us.

“Nigeria is a place where all mothers are petty doctors at home and we find it difficult to go to  hospital. We prefer to stay at home and give our family care.”

Speaking further the women’s right activist  recommended that the donations made to Nigeria during the pandemic should be used to set up structures that would empower women in both rural and urban settlements.

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