The coalition of over 48 women-led non-governmental organisations, Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative ((WIHRIN), has called on the federal government to adequately support and create a special fund for Women led NGOs to carry out humanitarian interventions in the country.
This request was contained in a communique jointly signed and issued by representatives of 15 of the respective organizations which formed the coalition after the official launch of the initiative in Abuja last weekend.
The Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative, is made up
of women humanitarian leaders and women headed local/National NGOs involved in
humanitarian/emergency response across the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
The NGO officially, launched the forum to unite and further stregthen their voices, improve coordination and collaboration as women humanitarians and women led NGOs involved in humanitarian action in Nigeria.
The group observed in the communique that women humanitarians and women led NGOs across the 6 geopolitical zones in Nigeria
play vital roles and make invaluable contributions in grass-root humanitarian response, giving a human face to the Nigerian humanitarian crises.
It further noted that in recent times, all the 6 geopolitical zones in the country have been plagued with humanitarian crisis, adding, “Women are usually the first responders to humanitarian crises within the communities
trying to ensure the safety of the most vulnerable victims such as children, disabled, sick and elderly at the risk of their very own lives.”
WIHRINI also noted that women and children constitute over 80% of the humanitarian crisis
affected populations in need in Nigeria.
The Women in Humanitarian Response in Nigeria Initiative, in the communique, resolved that local women humanitarians and women led NGOs “are best placed to engage with, respond to, emphasize with and feel the needs and resolve issues that pertain to women and children in crisis situation.”
The group said it is aware of the patriarchal nature of the Nigerian society that has promoted a lot of gender inequalities “and veiled women suppression, especially in public spaces, from positions of authority and
leadership roles at various levels of our society.”
