Healthy Life Development Initiative (HELDi), a Non-Governmental Organization, has hosted multi stakeholders’ meeting on the impact of Environmental Pollution and Adaptation Processes for Physically Challenged/Marginalized Women in Rivers State.
The Stakeholders’ meeting funded by Global GreenGrants fund, was held on January 16, for Umuechem and Abara communities of Etche LGA, at Breath Life Hotel, Igwuruta, Rivers State.
The meeting provided opportunity for stakeholders to see the extent to which Persons With Disabilities, PWDs and marginalized women are relegated to the background and why they should be inculcated into fight against environmental pollution and participation in activities at the community level.
The Coordinator of Healthy Life Development Initiative, Dr. Mfon Utin said the essence of the meeting was to ensure all stakeholders were on the same pace in understanding the plight of PWDs and marginalized women in a typical polluted environment of Niger Delta.
She added that the meeting has also provided an opportunity for collaboration, networking, and team-building among community stakeholders, civil society organizations (CSOs), and government regulators.
“The fight against environmental pollution is very necessary because the most affected persons are people with disabilities and marginalized women who have suffered in pain over the years.
“Our aim is to enlighten these people in different communities and doing this, we must drive the campaign with specific message which is the reason for the stakeholders’ meeting. We are here to also draws attention of all stakeholders to what these people pass through in their various communities and chart a way for on how we can help them. ” Dr. Mfon Utin.
Representing the Zonal Director of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Mr. Imeh Ekanem, Mr. Ukpenevi Solomon, shared their office’s concerns and pledged support to the communities within their capacity to restore the ecosystem.
Chief Constance Meju, Coordinator of the Centre for Environment, Media Development Communications (CEMEDEC), and an environmentalist, called on government to provide necessary amenities in communities, support vulnerable women and persons with disabilities, and ensure a safer and cleaner environment for the people of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
During the meeting, two facilitators, Mrs. Ordu Ada, a health practitioner, and Mrs. Rita Kigbara, an environmentalist, delved deeply into environmental pollution, its effects on humans and the environment, prevention strategies, and adaptation measures.
The presentations by various groups on adaptation and inclusion processes also shed more light on the involvement of women and persons with disabilities in combating environmental pollution.
Parts of the consensus reached was the assurance of communities that there will be more participation and inclusion of women and PWDs in the fight against environmental pollution.
Functional health centres was another demand for women because the stakeholders believe you cannot put them in the midst of unhealthy lifestyle and expect them to be healthy.
Government and individuals who have money were also urged to come out and help women so that the country can be in progressional mode.
“If these things are done, women and PWDs will have a better life because they are critical members of the society.” Dr. Mfon concluded.
Community stakeholders also pledged to involve women in their activities, providing strategies to start with youth groups and seeking their support when needed.
The stakeholders meeting also provided opportunity for vulnerable women, persons with disabilities, and community stakeholders to voice their concerns about the destruction of farmlands, water bodies, and the environment due to oil activities, highlighting the lack of compensation, basic amenities and job opportunities for their people.
