A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION, the Lift Above Poverty Organization
(LAPO) said it has within the last one year built the capacity of 194,330 women on health issues. it said the development has led to increased health consciousness and positive living among the benefiting women.
The South East Regional Manager of organization, Mrs. Blessing Iyoha, who stated this during the organization’s yearly training Enugu, said 126,705 were screened for Malaria, High blood pressure, hepatitis, diabetes and other ailments free of charge and provided with necessary support.
Iyoha added that 50,977 other women received various trainings on how to confront obnoxious socio-cultural and traditional practices militating against their progress.
Explaining that the organization’s desire was to ensure improved living and empowerment of women, Iyoha disclosed that the intervention has improved early dictation and management of common diseases among the vulnerable people of the country.
According to her, since inception in 1987, the organization had demonstrated unwavering commitment to poverty alleviation through the implementation of innovative credit and non-credit empowerment programmes, adding that LAPO Microfinance Bank currently provides financial services to 1.41 million persons.
Speaking on the theme, “Women Economic Advancement: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, Iyoha said it was aimed at showcasing the efficacy of economic empowerment as a catalyst for women’s financial independence, inclusion in decision making and participation.
In a lecture entitled, “Empowering Women and Empowering Humanity”, a
Women’s Rights Advocate, Mrs Iruka Nwokedi, a lawyer, charged women to jettison self-imposed limitations and use resources around them to improve their living condition.
She stated that women empowerment was sacrosanct and was required for any society to move forward.
Nwokedi encouraged women to stop playing second fiddle, especially in politics but use their natural endowment to contribute to the development of the nation.
She identified inheritance issues/rights, ignorance, illiteracy among others as militating the progress of women, and urged them to develop the political will to overcome their challenges.
