News
Updated: March 08, 2021

IWD #ChooseToChallenge: Don’t Sideline Women In COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, Governors Wives Cry Out

By Adedayo Babatunde
March 08, 2021
0

The Nigeria Governor's Forum has called on the Federal and State Governments to ensure that women are not sidelined in the vaccine distribution process.

This follows the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines across the country which officially began on Saturday with the administering of the vaccine to the President and his vice.

The forum made this call in a statement jointly signed to commemorate 2021 International Women’s Day on Monday.

The statement which was signed by the First Lady, Ekiti State and Chair, Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; First Lady Niger State and Chair, Northern Governors’ Wives Forum, Dr. Amina Abubakar Bello, and First Lady Edo State and Chair, Southern Governors’ Wives Forum, Betsy Obaseki said they would be receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to show that it is safe for consumption.

“As we manage the fallout from the COVID19 pandemic during these difficult times, we call on all the authorities concerned to make the COVID19 vaccine widely available and ensure there is equity in access."

“The vaccine should not be yet another resource that women do not have easy access to in Nigeria. We also urge all women to take the vaccine when it is available. We ourselves will be taking the vaccine to demonstrate that it is safe,” the statement read in part.

They also noted that women should be given the opportunity to lead, saying many of Nigeria’s problems can be solved by women.

The statement added, “We firmly believe that if women are encouraged as leaders, there will be
solutions to many of our intractable problems. The future of our country belongs to both men and women. We can no longer afford to leave one side behind by accident or design.

“As Governors’ Wives, we will continue to support our husbands and remind them of their obligations towards the security, protection, and empowerment of citizens, especially women."

“We will also engage with local communities and various stakeholders to ensure that no woman is left behind."

"We will continue our joint flagship project as Governors’ Wives, which is addressing sexual and gender-based violence, as well as our individual projects which address women’s health, education of children, mental health, economic empowerment, literacy, and many other issues.”