A non-governmental organisation, The Ike Odoeme Foundation, has doled out financial assistance to many Imo women with disabilities and widows to enable them to start their own businesses for self-sustenance.

The cash donation by the NGO took place in Owerri to mark this year’s International Women’s Day celebration.

The 2025 IWD has the theme: “Accelerate Action for Gender Equality,” and is celebrated annually on March 8.

In a speech at the event, the Executive Director of the Foundation, Sylvie Marie, said that the organisation’s religion was humanity, hence its commitment to uplifting less advantaged people.

She said that the foundation would build a house in July for a widow, one Eucharia Iwu, who already received N200,000 to fix her leaky roof.

According to her, the women with disabilities received at least N200,000 each for business startups.

Ms Marie said that this would be a continuation of the NGO’s humanitarian gestures.

She said that the group in 2024 paid the medical bills of 20 women, who underwent Invitro Fertilisation procedures, among other life-changing empowerments.

Ms Marie stated, “We will continue to impact lives of the vulnerable members of society, the widows, less-privileged and provide health and educational support to women and girl children for better acquisition of skills. Last year, the foundation championed several initiatives, including the provision of N50 million economic empowerment, with the theme: “Project Mount,” where we supported 200 women and 40 youths for business and farming ventures.

Ms Marie called on the government at all levels to enforce laws that protect women’s rights.

She also urged organisations to prioritise women’s inclusion in leadership roles, adding that society must challenge stereotypes and cultural practices that limit women.

She stated, “At the Ike Odoeme Foundation, we are not just talking, we are doing. We are here to support women economically, educationally, and socially so they can rise above limitations. To our men, women’s empowerment is not a women’s issue, it is a societal issue. When women thrive, families, communities, and economies thrive.’’

Ms Marie expressed the hope that with all hands on deck, actions could be accelerated to build a stronger future for women and pull down stereotypes and glass ceilings barring women.

(NAN)