Thirty widows from Onitsha and Warri in Anambra and Delta states have received seed funds to enable them start up small scale businesses and overcome the economic hardship associated with widowhood.
The women were empowered by a non-denominational organisation, Ruth Sisters’ Fellowship International (RSFI) at an event which held at the Irene Menakaya School, Onitsha last week.
The Nation reports that the empowerment was part of activities lined up to celebrate the second anniversary of RSFI Nigeria chapter.
Addressing the women, RSFI’s Rector, Prof. Ada Menakaya, who centered her message around Ruth 1:19-21, encouraged widows, particularly the young ones to empower themselves educationally for productive ventures to better their lives.
Menakaya who was represented by the group’s National Coordinator, Caroline Enarere, an evangelist, advised the widows not to make themselves vulnerable.
She said that the group had kicked off the Widows Entrepreneurship Startup Initiative to help some widows annually with small-scale businesses, stressing that 30 vulnerable widows would get
N20,000 each to start up businesses.
“Our mission is rooted in the biblical life story and spiritual journey of Ruth and Naomi.
“The Fellowship is the rebirth of gender character for a generation with a mission to let every woman understand that her being made empty; draws her back to her roots of Royalty in Jesus Christ, where she will be made whole in the actualisation of a character for generations to come,” Menakaya said.
She said further that with the growing trend of economic downtrodden and development, gender inequality impeded women’s capacity and potential to be players in their destiny,” Menakaya said.
She added that the inequalities including widowhood challenges, inability to access and control over resources, access to education and information, and equal rights and access to decision-making processes explained what women could do and could not do in a given situation.
“For women to be empowered to move from their inequalities and challenges to faith, sacrifice, and strong will, require supportive resolve to educate and empower self through the help of one another.
“Widowhood concerns are still global issues needing solutions that must be enabled for women’s advancement, and progression, to enable a better environment for women especially less privileged widows across the world.
“Widowhood emotions are thwarted, affecting their gender balancing, emotions, and character, and this requires psychological and emotional therapy that could lead to a better world for the vulnerable and helpless widows,” she said.
A former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih urged the widows not to look miserable because they have lost their husbands, but to comport themselves to live a positive life of emulation.
“Occupy yourselves with productive ventures, don’t be vulnerable to the society, you can do it with strong will and prayers,” the President General of Nkata Ndi Iyom, Nigeria, she said.
Anenih also counselled them on Igbo culture and tradition, adding that teaching of Igbo language to the children has become imperative for the language not to go into extinction.
Mrs Mary Chude, Leader of the newly inaugurated Onitsha chapter assured that she would do her best to move the body forward in the area with prayers and members’ support.
The widows and a widower received rice, gari and onions. There was also the cutting of Sister to Sister Love cake at the event.
The prominent personalities at the event are Rev. Dr Jason Chukwukelu of Achievers’ Gospel Church Intl, Onitsha, Pastor P. O. Amaukwu, Mrs Christy Chukwukelu and Rev. Mrs Kings Afimoni, amongst others offered prayers.
