2021 August Meeting: UNICEF charges Ebonyi women on COVID-19 protocols

BY CORDELIA AGBO

Women across the thirteen local government areas of Ebonyi State have been charged to ensure that they do not give in to false rumors about Covid-19 and its spread.

Speaking during the meeting of Nzuko Unwana, women wing in Afikpo North  Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, the Community Orientation and Mobilization Officer, National Orientation Agency, covering Uburu Council Area, Mr. Agha Oko Egwu enjoined women to ensure that they stayed safe from Covid-19 through continuous observation of protocols in compliance with NCDC guidelines.

Mr Agha advised the women to spread the message accross their respective communties and ensure that every member of their families and friends were vaccinated to avert the clutch of the deadly virus. 

He maintained that proper handwashing, use of hand sanitizers, use of nose mask as well as maintaining social distancing would help to limit the spread of the disease in the society.

Adding their voices, Mrs. Okogwu Chinyere, Community Mobilization Officer Afikpo North and her counterpart Mr. Iyiogwe Okeh of Ishielu took the women on the impacts and tips of Antenatal completion to pregnant mother's that will help reduce complications during child delivery.

Mr. Okogwu noted that early baby initiation to breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding through total abstinence from water or other fluid for the first six months are sure ways of raising healthy children.

He advised women to ensure that they immunize their children from zero to 59 months since it is free and safe, stressing that un-immunized children are subjected to varieties of health risks. 

The UNICEF Desk Officer, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Uchenna Unah during his presentation spoke on the need for every child to be registered immediately after birth with the National Population Commission, stressing that every child had the right to know his or her identify.

He also advised women to report cases of Female Genetal Mutilation (FGM) due to its harmful effect on the women.

Mr. Unah encouraged women to speak out against all forms of voilence against women and girl child, as well as effects of early marriage. 

He further harped on the need for aggressive campaign against child labour, child trafficking, child abondonement, neglect, corporal punishment, and male child preference which has over the years promoted the no inheritance rights for girls and reducing their educational oppoturnies.

He noted that women should be given equal opportunities to exercise their right in other to build a better tomorrow.

The various women groups reached during the 2021 August meeting by the UNICEF team include: Agape women followship, Afikpo North, Nzuko Unwana women wing, St. Paul's Anglican Church,Eke Market, Afikpo, All Saints Catholic Church, Umuchima, Uburu, Reformed Presybiterian Church, Oduma Uburu, St. Christopher Catholic Church, Mgbom Ugwulangwu, Patriots Women Association Ntezi, Iyionu Women General Assembly amongst others.