Emma Elekwa
Anambra communities have been urged to invest in empowering young girls with education, life-sustaining skills and sound morals to be able to face their future with confidence.
Women’s leader of Abagana community in Njikoka Council Area of the State, Prof Ebele Emengini made the call at the community’s civic centre at an event to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day, IWD celebration.
The event, with the theme, ‘Give to Gain’, was organized by the Women’s wing of the Abagana Welfare Union, AWU, and attracted women from various walks of life to discuss and learn on contemporary issues affecting womanhood and the growth of the society.
Emengini, a professor of Surveying and Geoinformatics at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, explained that the IWD celebration was a moment of appreciation, and reflection on women’s roles in the growth of families and the society.
“The cerebration is also about encouraging one another to rise higher as well as a reminder that the role of women transcends home duties,” she added.
Pillars of cultural preservation
According to her, women are the pillars of cultural preservation, peace promotion and community development.
“Over the years, Abagana women, through wisdom and industry, have built homes and society with diligence and sacrifice, a legacy the present mothers are upholding.
“In Abagana, women have made their mark in all kinds of vocations, and through their hard-work and dedication, they contribute to the growth and security of the community.
“We must continue to support one another, mentor the younger ones and promote education, sound morality and unity among our daughters, to enable them face the challenges of the modern world with confidence.
“We must guide them to become responsible citizens who will carry on from us, the good name of Abagana,” she posited.
He underscored the need for the community women to continue to work together in peace, love and mutual respect.
The don reminded them that “by participating in developmental efforts, support to the downtrodden, and promoting peace, we will build a more developed and resilient Abagana.”
Rights preservation
Earlier, Founder, Zaram Life Foundation, Eucharia Onyemaobi noted that the celebration is a call to preservation of rights, rights and action towards ending the scourge of irregular and unsafe migration which has endangered the lives of women, especially young girls.
She regretted that across communities, women still suffer lack of opportunities and vulnerabilities that predispose them to irregular migration, human trafficking and undue exploitation.
“Many young girls nowadays, leave their homes with the promises and hopes to find a better future but some of those promises and hopes turn out be abuse.
“That is why protection of rights must begin at the grassroots.
“Mothers must do parenting beyond what it used to be. This is due to the dynamics of the modern day society.
“The bulk of the work rests on the women as they are the ones who bear the brunt of the negative turn the society is taking,” she said.
Onyemobi urged women to move from words to action, adding that justice in action means educating communities, and creating opportunities to ensure that young girls find meaningful ventures to go into, so as to stay away from vices.
She stressed the need for the family to stay knit together, saying, “mothers must maintain constant communication with their daughters, and ensure that positive family values are instilled in them.
Strong family values
“Real change begins with strong family values. When justice becomes action, the cycle of exploitation begins to break.
“When there is awareness, potentials rise and communities become safer.”
A guest speaker at the event, Dr Nkiruka Okpala, a consultant family physician at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, educated the gathering on “Cervical and Breast Cancer: Awareness and Prevention.”
She emphasized the need for early detection and prevention as the surest way to stay safe from the cancers.
Executive Director, Malaria Eradication and Safe Health Initiative, MESHI, Prof Dennis Aribodor and President General of Abagana Welfare Union, Sir Linus appreciated the leadership of the women’s wing for the laudable initiative to educate the community women on their health and roles in the society.
She argued that such empowerment will ensure they remain responsive to the society.
Wife of Chairman, Njikoka Local Government, Lolo Pamela Ononiba urged the women to always endeavour to take care of their health, by eating healthy and exercising regularly.
