NGO seeks gender parity in humanitarian agencies, leadership level

Wed, Sep 18, 2019
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WOMEN in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria (WiHRiNI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has called for entrenchment of gender parity in all humanitarian agencies and at leadership level in the country.

Ms Mimidoo Achakpa, WiHRiNI’s Convener, made the call at the official launch of the NGO on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to her, gender parity at the leadership level, humanitarian level, and structures is fundamental.

She appealed to the Federal Government to provide necessary intervention in developing the capacity of women in the society.

The NGO also urged stakeholders and other relevant bodies to help provide functional tools that would strengthen and empower women in the society.

She called for proper recognition, engagement and respect for local humanitarians and women led humanitarian organisations in the country.

The Convener said that women NGOs related should be deliberately supported and funded to coordinate and deliver principled humanitarian interventions.

Achakpa said that women humanitarians and women led NGOs across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria play vital roles and make invaluable contributions in grassroots humanitarian response.

She said such NGOs gave human face to the Nigerian humanitarian crises.

The convener also noted that all the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, in recent years had been plagued with one humanitarian crisis or the other, be it man-made or natural crisis such as conflict and flood

According to her, women are usually the first responders to humanitarian crises within the communities trying to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable victims such as children, disabled, sick and elderly at the risk of their very own lives.

“We are aware that women and children make up over 80 per cent of the humanitarian crisis affected populations in need in Nigeria.”

Achakpa acknowledged the fact that local women humanitarians and women led NGOs were best placed to engage and feel the needs of the people and also resolved issues that pertain to women and children in crisis situation. (NAN)

– Sept. 18, 2019 @ 10:05 GMT |

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