LASG REITERATES COMMITMENT TO WOMEN DEVELOPMENT
… Commences Free Medical Screening for WomenThe Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA) has commenced free medical screening for women across the State, as part of measures to improve their health and reduce their medical costs.Speaking at the Y2021 Women Assembly held at the LTV Blue Roof, Agindingbi, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Cecilia Bolaji Dada, stated that women care more for their husbands and children at the detriment of their welfare and wellbeing.She said that it has been observed that women often neglect their own medical needs, as such the State government designed the Assembly to provide women with comprehensive medical screening as well as enlightenment on the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme and securing financial support from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, among others.“Primarily, this forum is targeted at evaluating views and opinions on issues that affect womanhood within the society, so that necessary solutions can be proffered to existing problems”, the Commissioner said.Dada reiterated that the State Government is aware of the plight of women amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and has designed various programmes to ensure financial independence towards uplifting their economic capabilities and that of their families. She explained that the Ministry has established 19 skill acquisition centres, where no fewer than 20 vocations are taught on a short and long term module, adding that starter packs are also given to participants after the completion of their courses.The Commissioner said “Over 1,000 indigent residents benefitted from the mega empowerment programme starter packs which include Grinding Machines, Barbing Tools, Hair Dryers, Sewing Machines and Android Phones. The Ministry has also organised advocacy campaigns against all forms of gender-based violence, while also collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture for the training of women on fish farming”.In his lecture at the event, Dr. Babajide Martins, Director, Lagos State Office of the Public Defender, noted the need for women to cajole their husbands into writing a ‘Will’ against unforeseen circumstances.He also enlightened the participants on the rudiments of matrimony and processes guiding proper documentation of ‘Will’ for both women and men within the society.”Every woman feels safe whence her spouse prepares a ‘Will’ before his transition. However, such women should avoid being a witness to the documentation of the process, otherwise it could be knocked off in the court of law as invalid for execution”, Martins asserted.In her contribution, Mrs. Saidat Salami, the Managing Director, ‘Easyshop, Easycook’, educated the women on different ways of empowerment towards financial independence, imploring them to key into identified areas of self-development prescribed by the State Government.
