…3000 vulnerable women receive cash, food items
The First Lady of Borno State, Dr. Falmata Babagana Umara Zulum, has called for intensified efforts to achieve gender equality, emphasizing the need for collective action to empower women and girls.
Dr. Zulum made the call in Maiduguri on Saturday during an event marking the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD), with the theme “Accelerate Action.”
She said the theme was a call to action, stressing the need to create a world where women and girls have equal opportunities to thrive.
She acknowledged progress in women’s education, healthcare access, economic participation, and leadership but noted that significant work remained to be done.
As part of activities to commemorate the day, Dr. Zulum announced the distribution of cash and food items to 3,000 vulnerable women across the 27 local government areas of the state.
She said each beneficiary received ₦50,000, as well as rice, macaroni, and cooking oil, amounting to a total support package of ₦150 million.
The First Lady commended the Borno State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, for its commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment.
She reiterated her dedication to promoting women’s empowerment through skills acquisition training and other development initiatives.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Zuwaira Gambo, lauded the leadership of the state for its unwavering support for women’s empowerment.
She urged women and girls to embrace challenges and recognize their contributions to the development of the state.
Also, Dr. Zainab Gimba, a member of the House of Representatives, emphasized the importance of accelerating action to advance women’s rights and gender equality.
She highlighted global milestones such as the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and the Maputo Protocol as critical frameworks for addressing gender disparities.
Despite notable progress, she said women continued to face stereotyping, abuse, and cultural discrimination, calling for legislative measures to tackle these challenges.
Dr. Gimba stressed the need for restructuring and repositioning policies to ensure women’s rights and gender equality were effectively addressed in line with global standards.
The event was attended by government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, and women’s groups.
