Group Laments Multidimensional Challenges Faced By Nigerian Women

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

A non-governmental organisation, Charis Healthcare and Community Support Initiative has stated the ongoing farmer-herder crisis in Plateau State and the sit-at-home observed in South-East states have significantly impacted the mental health of women in the affected areas.

Chief Executive Officer of the organization, Praise Mwuese-Ter made this assertion in Jos during a roundtable discussion to review three research findings presented by a German organisation before stakeholders.

She explained that the three research reports focused on the impact of these crises on market women in particular, calling for solutions to address the challenges they face.
Mwuese-Ter revealed that the women were suffering from heightened anxiety and mental health distress, stemming not only from the crises but also from the loss of loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said: “Some of the research was done in Plateau as well, and they focused on issues affecting women and society at large, including insurgency, political activities, farmer-herder clashes, and others.
“We’ve found that many things have impacted women, so this roundtable is aimed at reviewing the findings of the research.”

The NGO revealed that women had been severely impacted, both psychologically and economically, due to the farmer-herder crisis, COVID-19, the sit-at-home order by agitators in the South-East, and the Abuja market crisis affecting market women.
“We’ve identified factors such as the socio-economic impact of these crises on women and how these events have affected their families and children, who women typically care for. We’re presenting those findings today,” Mwuese-Ter added.

She also mentioned that many women experienced severe mental health distress due to heightened anxiety, which was exacerbated by the loss of loved ones.
She recounted a particular case during the COVID-19 lockdown, where a woman had purchased poison to kill herself and her children due to hunger and despair.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we received a distress call from a woman who had bought poison to kill herself and her children. They were hungry, and because of the lockdown, they could not access food.

“She had been feeding the children salt water for two days and had decided to end their lives before Charis intervened,” She explained.

During the roundtable, a consultant ophthalmologist and senior lecturer at Bingham University, Dr. Mercy Adejoh, discussed other challenges faced by women, including gender-based violence, economic challenges, workplace discrimination, and being relegated to the background compared to their male counterparts.

She also expressed concern about the abuse of underage girls, who are often used as house helps and subjected to maltreatment, as well as the rise in rape cases leading to unwanted pregnancies.

Director of the Ministry of Women Affairs in Plateau State, Sunday Donbin highlighted the state government’s efforts, including empowerment programmes and a significant increase in budgetary allocation to the Women Affairs Ministry