-As group distributes sewing machines, farm tools, implements others to Imo women

Executive Secretary of the Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN; and the founder Thelema Lion Foundation, Dr. (Mrs) Ifeoma Lilian Agu, have called for deliberate commitment and policy implementation for enhanced economic empowerment among the women folk in the country.

The duo made the call on Tuesday at the 2026 “Women Arise Symposium organized by the Foundation in commemoration of the 2026 International Women’s Day Celebration, and empowerment programme held at the Central School Ezi East, Umueleagwa Onicha Mbaise, Imo state.

Represented by the Imo State Coordinator of the NHRC, Dr. Valentine Madubuoke, Ojukwu said that was the only way both government and individuals would participate to eradicate poverty among women.

In the event powered by the commission, among partnering Federal Ministry of Women Affairs; and the Imo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ojukwu, who commended Thelema Lion Foundation, said: “This is the third time this programme is taking place and it encourages individuals to feel safe and protected and engenders partnership to people to work together and enhance safety.”

Explaining that the economic empowerment was meant to safeguard gender equity and human rights, the Executive Secretary opined: “Economic empowerment has its own peculiar focus as it enables people to make their own decisions successfully, encourages individuals to voice their needs and participate actively in safety planning rather than human decision makes individuals to feel safe and protected to report abuse and complain without fear of negative consequences.

“Furthermore, it encourages partnership so that people can work together to build on personal strength to advance safety and the NHRC will continue to support a programme of this kind and also partner with any government, government Agency NGO, CSO or persons that are at the forefront to embark on activities that protect and promote human rights in the society and our government. This is because the NHRC is an Agency that has an extra judicial mechanism for the respect or empowerment of Rights.”

In her speech, the founder of the foundation, Agu, noted that the most powerful tools for safeguarding gender equity and advancement of human rights was such social inclusion policy to strengthen empowerment of families, and by extension, communities for national growth.

She said: “Economic Empowerment is not merely about income, it is about access-access to education, opportunities, resources and decision making spaces. It is about breaking systemic barriers that have for too long limited the potentials of women and girls. It is about ensuring that every woman regardless of her background can rise, thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.”

She stressed that empower would not happen in isolation, contending that it required “intentional polices, collaborative efforts, mentorship, access to funding, skills acquisition and continuous advocacy,” calling for the inputs of all the layers of government, private sector and civil society.

She thanked the NHRC for its unwavering and relentless commitment and partnership to the foundation, fair play, justice, human dignity and protection of lives, towards empowerment of the women folk among others.

An official of the foundation, Eberechi Marcus, had informed that the body duly registered with the relevant government agency, was also committed to child education, skills and economic empowerment, including offering scholarships to numerous intelligent indigent  students spread across  communities.

According to him, under the nutrition programme, the foundation had recently gifted over 700 households with five bags of palliative packages, including bags of rice, garri and tubers of yams, to uplift the lives of the vulnerable, and cushion the effects of economic hardships in the country.

Witnessed by some monarchs and community leaders, the foundation distributed to selected women, equipments, such as grinding and sewing machines, farm implements; also featured award /symbolic presentation of starter packs to beneficiaries to boost the entrepreneurship programme.