Muslim, Christian women collaborate to support vulnerable families

NASRUL-LAHI-L-FATIH Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and Women Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN) have collaborated to distribute food items to vulnerable families in Lagos, Ogun, Kano and the Federal Capital City Abuja (FCT).

The interfaith women palliatives distribution is targeted at cushioning effects of COVID-19 pandemic on women and to sensitize the general public on the devastating effects of domestic violence.

The group plans to provide food items worth of N10,000 (Rice,Garri, noodle, groundnut oil) to 76 members of NASFAT, 27 in Lagos, 11 in Abuja, 11 in Ogun and 27 in Kano, while the gesture will also be replicated in the other two organisations (FOMWAN and WOWICAN).

During the distribution, the Women Affairs Secretary of NASFAT, Alhaja Suweebah Bola Kupolati represented by Alhaja Fauziyah Oladoja, said the purpose was not for the palliative alone, but to also signify that interfaith can play a significant role in peace building in communities.

She noted that the COVID -19 pandemic has very serious impact on women generally. “Women have been hit hard by the stay at home orders and this has seriously affected their businesses, source of income and in some cases have led to domestic violence.

“A good number of our women are petty traders and retailers; some work in industries like leisure and hospitality, restaurant, education and health services. The number of job losses has impacted all these areas in the last few months.

“Women who have been able to keep working through the pandemic are facing another issue: childcare. With schools, daycares and summer camps closed and children home all day, women have taken on the majority of caregiving responsibilities at home. In whichever direction you look at, COVID -19 has a serious impact on women across the globe” she said.

Kupolati added that in an effort to lessen the impact of the pandemic on women, Government has been able to provide various types of support for different categories of women, the widow, vulnerable families, unemployed, elderly ones and others.

The spokesperson for the interfaith collaboration, Alhaja Saidat Onike-Azeez, said domestic violence become rampant in the country due to lockdown. She said: “The organisations realize that the statistic of domestic violence is on the increase. Thais is why we decided to sensitise the public and raise awareness on the dangers of domestic violence in order to let people know that religion, Islam and Christianity kicks against violence”. She advised victims of domestic violence to speak out and let
people know what they are going through.