…Welcomes Caring Heart Initiative
The Governor Monday Okpebholo-led Government, through the Office of the First Lady, led by the Coordinator, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, including women and children, during a meeting with the Caring Heart Initiative for Empowerment and Advocacy, at Government House, Benin City.
Mrs. Anani stressed that empowering women involves more than just physical or economic support and added that it also requires mental empowerment.
According to her, “When we have more empowered women, we’ll have less violence against women. So we want to empower women.
I like to talk about empowerment, physical skills, but most importantly, I like the empowerment of the mind. It’s very important. What goes on in your mind? What do you think about? It’s key when we’re having our voices.”
“It’s not just enough to empower women physically or economically; we must also consider their mental well-being. How do you free her mind from negative thoughts? How does she perceive herself after empowerment? How empowered is she mentally? It’s very important. And I had spoken to a couple of people at the GBV center. I said, if you want more counselors, we will be able to provide them. When we have more empowered women, we’ll have less violence against women.”
Mrs. Anani also stressed that good nutrition is essential for women and children, playing a critical role in fighting off illnesses and creating a healthier society.
“Health is also very important. I keep saying a healthy nation is a productive and wealthy nation. When you don’t take care of your health, you have a population that will be dying.”
She also expressed concern about the high number of out-of-school children, child labor, abuse, and other issues. She pledged to do everything within her means to make the environment safe for them.
Mrs. Anani also condemned the actions of some class teachers who abuse their children and pledged to look deeper into the issue.
The Executive Director, Grace Obakina, in her speech, highlighted some of the achievements of the Organization.
“Our organization has been able to give out interventions for sexual, gender-based violence, both on rape cases amongst others.”
“So, Caring Hearts has always been a grassroots mobilizing organization who has identified young persons. By God’s grace, we were able to partake in the massive drug-free club for students where we go to schools and we educate them.
