Following its commitment to ensuring women and girls in Benue State become self-reliant, the Julius Atorough Foundation (JAF) has extended its interventions to include a skills acquisition and empowerment programme for vulnerable women and unemployed female graduates in the state.

JAF Trustee, Mrs. Victoria Iveren Atorough, who noted that over 50 women indicated interest at the commencement of the programme, explained that the programme would run every three months to build the capacity of beneficiaries in various entrepreneurial skills including makeup, catering/culinary, amongst others.

She added that the Foundation has spent over N300 million on various humanitarian interventions in the state which include the provision of over 50 educational facilities, scores of teaching and learning materials, WAEC/JAMB scholarships for students, medical assistance/outreaches.

Others are sponsorship of small and medium scale businesses, providing support to prisoners awaiting trials as well as thousands of widows, orphans, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the elderly, in partnership with organisations such as the Society of the Catholic Church (SSVP).

She said: “Women must be taken more seriously not based on gender alone, but on our capabilities, contributions, enterprise, residence as homemakers world leaders CEOs and even much more.

“Sometimes skills become a life-saver as opposed to getting a degree and looking for a job so there will be something in the works for women who did not receive any form of education and those who dropped out of school. This will provide them the opportunity to express their skills.

“Three months is enough time to learn the basics, to pick up a skill if you are dedicated. At the end of each training session, we hope to fully empower those who have shown genuine seriousness.

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“It is in our power to change stereotyped social norms and prejudices that prevent today’s girls from improving themselves in all aspects of life, education, arts and science and from turning into tomorrow’s powerful and influential women.

“In order to make the change we need, it is of great significance that we discuss the issues concerning the realization of full and equal rights for girls and continue launching projects to attract public attention, raise due awareness to support tomorrow’s successful women.

“My husband, Julius Atorough, knows first hand, the issues women are faced around here and I being partial to the women folk, he has promised that women will be less vulnerable, have the requisite power and be placed in positions of power that will enable them break away from the ills women face in society under his administration as Governor of Benue State.”

Mrs. Atorough further emphasised the need to educate, motivate and empower girls to become confident women who make positive contributions and changes to their immediate environment and globally.

JAF President, Hon. Julius Atorough, maintained that one major requisite to having a strong society is by unleashing the power of women.

“This is only possible when laws and national goals are in harmony; societies, governments, national and international institutions, and individuals work together,” he said.

Accrediting his successes to the sacrifices of his late mother, Hon. Atorough, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, pledged to expand and sustain his support to help women and girls achieve their goals, evoke a positive change in their respective communities and the state in general.

The Star