By: Mayen Etim
KADUNA, North-West Nigeria – As part of activities to mark the International Women’s Day (IWD), the NGO, Women and Children’s Rights and Empowerment Foundation (WCREF), has trained ten women with disabilities on snacks making, juices and different types of patisseries in Kaduna State.
This is as WCREF said the initiative is aim to give the women a livelihood and make them more independent.
Speaking at a ceremony on Thursday, to present certificate of completion to the ten beneficiaries after a 2-day training at Badarawa Community in Kaduna North Local Government Area, the Executive Director of WCREF, Barr. Maryam Abdu, said her organization is working with vulnerable groups to seek inclusion, empowerment and build their capacity.
She said in line with the Day’s theme: “Invest in women: Accelerate Progress” which informed the empowerment of the beneficiaries on skills acquisition; she said it also aligns with the #inspire inclusion campaign for IWD aimed to inspire and empower women from all walks of life.
On what informed the choice of the facilitator of the training, Hajiya Hafsatu, the WCREF boss said, though a visually impaired person, the facilitator was not perturbed by her situation, rather was steadfast, level headed and dedicated to her craft.
Barr Abdu further said it was the rare characteristics of Hajiya Hafsatu, that paved the way for other women to learn from her and break the glass ceiling which limits persons with disabilities in the society.
“She has taught us all as women and as human beings that we should never ever let society or culture tell us that we cannot aim for the moon,” Abdu added.
Hajiya Hafsatu, is the Founder of Rahafs Bites, a catering outfit known for production of patisseries, fresh juices and gourmet cuisines, and has successfully trained over 50 women on snacks making, juices and different types of patisseries.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Improvement In Respect To Social Status of Disability, Dr. Micah Shabi, commended WCREF for beaming it’s searchlight and attention towards Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), particularly the women with disabilities in Kaduna State.
According to him, the Disability Convention 2006, Article 6, showed that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discrimination in the world, and this could only be tackled by organizations such as WCREF.
One of the beneficiaries, Ms Priscilla Daniel, a visually impaired, expressed her gratitude to WCREF for the kind gesture, which has afforded her and others the opportunity to acquire skills in
snacks making, juices and different types of patisseries.
She encouraged her colleagues to put to profitable use the little amount given to them as start-up packs. “We should endeavour to wisely use the little amount to start a small business. We do not need to rent a shop, rather with the little available we can start producing something and put them on display at the front of our homes, and gradually we will get to where we want to be,” Daniel urged.
The IWD celebrate women’s achievement, raises awareness about discrimination, and takes action to drive gender parity. It is celebrated every year on March 8.
