Minister assures of gender parity in Covid-19 vaccine distribution


The Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, has assured Nigerian women of gender parity in the administration of the limited COVID-19 vaccine in the country.

Tallen, gave this assurance, while distributing palliatives, which include food items such as rice, vegetable oil, pasta, soghum flour and wrappers to 93 women groups in the FCT as part of activities by the ministry to celebrate the women’s month.
According to her, even though the exercise was being handled by the COVID-19 task force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), she was sure the federal government will ensure equal distribution of the vaccine between men and women.


“I am sure Mr President will ensure that there will be equal distribution between the men and the women, so  gender parity will be properly addressed,” she said.
In the same vein, the minister said the distribution of the palliatives to various women groups in the FCT was part of activities to commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration.


She, therefore, urged leaders of the groups to share the items judiciously and ensure it gets to the target persons, which are the vulnerables, widows and persons with disabilities.
“We are handling to these women organisations to be shared among their members and I appeal to them to concentrate more on the vulnerable and the needy,” she said.
According to her, similar gesture will be replicated across all the states with the support of state governors, their wives and other organisations.


A recipient, Mrs Salamatu Aliyu, Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, National Women Commission, commended the efforts of the ministry for their support to women and children.


Aliyu, also enjoined all to continue to pray towards ending all the challenges affecting the peace and progress of the country.
“We pray that the almighty God take care of the challenges we have in Nigeria today, because if there are challenges we will not concentrate,” she said.


Similarly, Felicia Onibon, President, 100 Women Lobby Group, said the organisation would soon embark on advocacy visits to Nassarwa, Edo and other states.
“Nigerian women are happy with what is going on and that they are not forgotten. We are representing the interest of thousands of women here,” she said.

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