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Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L) presenting a gift to Mrs. Muyibat Shittu of Lekki LCDA (R) during launch of NAWOCA Local Govern-ment Chapters in Epe.
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola (L) presenting a gift to Mr. Kehinde Adeoye of Eredo LCDA (R) during launch of NAWOCA Local Govern-ment Chapters in Epe.Oct 6, 2009 - Lagos First Lady Launches NAWOCA In Epe Division
The First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, Tuesday launched the National Women Coalition On AIDS (NAWOCA) in Epe Division of the State with a passionate plea for support and encouragement by all and sundry to combat the scourge of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the country.
NAWOCA is an initiative of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Hajia Turia Yar’Adua, as an advocacy aimed at publicly addressing issues that make the female gender more at risk to HIV/AIDS infection.
Mrs. Fashola told the audience comprising political, religious, and traditional as well as opinion leaders, among others, that the support of all and sundry has become expedient because time is now of essence to stop the spread of the scourge which, according to her, is mortgaging the lives of thousands of young men and women and by extension the future generation.
The First Lady lamented that in spite of the various initiatives and actions that the various governments and organizations have taken to raise the awareness of people on what needs to be done to stop the spread of the scourge, HIV has grown to become a serious health issue since 1986, claiming millions of lives yearly.
“Studies have shown that women account for the greater number of people falling victims of HIV/AIDS” Mrs. Fashola lamented, noting that the female gender are at risk due to their nature, poverty, lack of awareness and gender-violence, among others.
According to the First Lady, “The clear implication of these facts is that issues relating to women must be given due consideration if we are to achieve success in the fight against the AIDS epidemic”, adding that it is in realization of this fact the nation’s First Lady initiated NAWOCA with a mandate to all the First ladies of the country to launch same in their states and local government areas.
Mrs. Fashola said the initiative was being launched in Epe Division, comprising Epe, Eredo, Ibeju-Lekki, Lekki and Ikosi-Ejigbo, in order to implement the Women’s Rights Agenda for action against HIV/AIDS at local government levels and to promote and protect the rights of women and girls living with and infected by HIV/AIDS.
She said the Coalition, under the chairmanship of the wives of the various local government chairmen, is expected to seek support and collaboration of policy-makers in the political, social and religious circles, women leaders as well as traditional institutions within the division.
“This is very essential to the success of this initiative because even though women are the primary targets, we need the support of our men and opinion leaders in our communities to strengthen the organization and to achieve our set goals” Mrs. Fashola said.
Pleading for the support and encouragement of local government chairmen in Epe Division to address issues that make women and girls more prone to HIV/AIDS, the First Lady declared, “I am counting on you to ensure that Lagos State takes the leading position so that we can set example to the rest of the country to ensure the successful implementation of this programme”.
She said for Lagos to maintain its leading position and achieve the goals of the Coalition, it must draw up a plan of activities in accordance with the objectives of the initiative, prepare evaluation and proper coordination schedule, submit quarterly progress report by each local government. And liaise with the State’s AIDS Control Agency at the local government levels as well as the State Chapter of NAWOCA.