Coronavirus vaccine: Don’t sideline women - Governors' wives cry out

Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum has urged Federal and state governments to ensure that women are not sidelined in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

They made the appeal in a statement to commemorate 2021 International Women’s Day on Monday, March 8, 2021.

The statement was jointly signed by the First Lady Ekiti State and Chair,
Nigerian Governors’ Wives Forum, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; First Lady Niger State and Chair, Northern Governors’ Wives Forum, Dr Amina Abubakar Bello; and First Lady Edo State and Chair, Southern Governors’ Wives Forum, Mrs Betsy Obaseki.

The governor’s wives also said they would be receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to show that it is safe for consumption.

“As we manage the fall out from the COVID19 pandemic during these difficult times, we call on all the authorities concerned to make the COVID19 vaccine widely available and ensure there is equity in access.

“The vaccine should not be yet another resource that women do not have easy access to in Nigeria. We also urge all women to take the vaccine when it is available, we ourselves will be taking the vaccine to demonstrate that it is safe,” the statement read in part.

They also noted that women should be given the opportunity to lead, saying many of Nigeria’s problems can be solved by women.

The statement added, “We firmly believe that if women are encouraged as leaders, there will be solutions to many of our intractable problems. The future of our country belongs to both men and women. We can no longer afford to leave one side behind by accident or design.

“As Governors’ Wives, we will continue to support our husbands and remind them of their obligations towards the security, protection, and empowerment of citizens, especially women.

“We will also engage with local communities and various stakeholders to ensure that no woman is left behind. We will continue our joint flagship project as Governors’ Wives which is addressing sexual and gender-based violence, as well as our individual projects which address women’s health, education of children, mental health, economic empowerment, literacy, and many other issues.”