By Sanee Yarima, Jalingo
The Wayomti Charity Foundation on Saturday marked International Women’s Day with an outreach to women in Abbare community, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State, raising awareness on issues affecting women’s livelihoods and community development.
The event, held under the theme “Give to Gain,” brought together women from the predominantly agrarian community, whose residents rely largely on farming, livestock rearing and small-scale trading for survival.
Abbare is home to several ethnic groups including the Mumuye, Fulani, Jukun and Tiv.
Welcoming the delegation, the community leader, Jauro Francis, thanked the foundation for choosing Abbare to celebrate the global event and urged women in the community to pay close attention to the discussions.
“We are happy that your organisation has come to celebrate with us. We hope more groups will come and help amplify the challenges we face so the world can hear our voice,” he said.
Francis also encouraged the women to apply the knowledge shared during the engagement to improve their lives and strengthen the community.
The Executive Director of Wayomti Charity Foundation, Prisca Joel, said the organisation’s mission is to empower women and youth and promote social wellbeing through advocacy, education and community mobilisation.
She said the foundation runs programmes including community outreaches, scholarships, vocational training for young people and support for small businesses.
Joel noted that International Women’s Day, observed globally on March 8, provided an opportunity to highlight issues affecting women in Abbare, including apathy toward voting, gender-based violence and barriers to education.
“We want to amplify the voices of women here and encourage their participation in decision-making within the community,” she said.
Joel added that the foundation had identified several pressing challenges in the community, including poor road access, lack of potable water and inadequate educational infrastructure.
“Wayomti will stand as a voice for the Abbare community and draw the attention of government authorities to these challenges,” she said.
The chairman of the Taraba State Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, Joseph Gimba, represented by the coalition’s secretary Bello Bako, said the theme “Give to Gain” underscored the value of generosity and social responsibility.
“Giving helps build relationships, develops character and creates goodwill in society,” he said.
Another civil society representative, Markdorna, urged women to prioritise their health and guide their children away from drug abuse.
Grace Danladi, Director of Gender at the Taraba State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, commended the foundation and civil society groups for supporting the community and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to addressing issues affecting women.
During the outreach, the foundation donated bags of grains to participants and provided small grants to five women drawn from different ethnic groups in the community.
Members of the foundation also visited the community’s only dry-season water source, a distant stream used by residents, highlighting the urgent need for improved water infrastructure.