Covid-19: NGO calls for training of more female health workers

By Pascal Okpe

Rev. Ijeoma Emeribe, Founder and President of Women Africa International 

A global Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Woman Africa International, that dedicates time and resources to improving the lives of women, girls, vulnerable groups and children across the continent and beyond, through strategic action, has called on the Federal Government to increase the number of female health workers and women in decision making to ensure that response to COVID-19 pandemic meets the needs of women and girls at all levels. 

In a press statement released by the association in Abuja recently and signed by its Founder and President, Rev. Ijeoma Emeribe noted that the association commended the health workers especially women who have been part of the success story of COVID-19 recoveries in Nigeria. 

She said, "Train more health care workers to properly identify Gender Based Violence and risks cases. Increase the number of female health care workers and women in decision making to ensure that responses to COVID-19 outbreaks adequately address the needs of women and girls at all levels.

"Expand access to hygiene and sanitary materials as a way of cushioning the effect to decrease household income or increase household competition for scarce hygiene resources. Expand employed health workers’ reach and ability to conduct household-level disease testing and prevention efforts.

"Churn out gender-based messaging in sensitizing the public on COVID 19 and its effects;

Employ effective gender equity measures into current palliatives measures amongst others." 

Emeribe added that, "As a way of contributing to Government’s palliative interventions, Woman Africa International will be supporting indigent women and girls in Abuja with required relief materials. 

"This is expected to further encourage benefiting households to adhere to Government’s stay-indoor demands.

“Furthermore, we urge everyone to remain hopeful and prayerful even as we look forward to post COVID 19 adjustments’ she noted.