From Okwe Obi, Abuja
A foundation, Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative, has advocated massive investment in adult education especially in rural areas.
It, also, recommended integration of health and life skills education within adult literacy programmes to empower women and girls with practical knowledge and skills.
In addition, it emphasized the importance of local stakeholders to be engaged in fostering partnerships to support adult education initiatives,
maximizing their impact on rural development and community transformation.
SLNI Public Relations Officer, Samuel Ebere Uzowuru, in a statement yesterday said the recommendations were part of the Parallel Event organised by the organisation in New York with the theme: ‘Adult Education’s Role in Rural Development and Household Transformation.’
He said: “At the end of the event, Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative prevented recommendations aimed at advancing adult education and empowering rural communities: SLNI advocates for community-led adult education initiatives designed in collaboration with local communities to ensure cultural relevance and sustainability.
“SLNI recommends the integration of health and life skills education within adult literacy programs to empower women and girls with practical knowledge and skills.
“SLNI emphasizes the importance of engaging local stakeholders and fostering partnerships to support adult education initiatives,
maximizing their impact on rural development and community transformation.”
According to Uzowuru, the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women CSW68 is recognized as the United Nations’ largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment, provided an ideal platform for the organisation to spotlight the transformative impact of adult education on rural development and household empowerment.
He pointed out that event was moderated by Hauwa Abbas, SLNI COO and Ajanihu Ngozi Ezeala
of POWER Foundation, and it featured guests who shared valuable insights on the intersections of adult literacy, poverty alleviation, and women’s empowerment.
In his presentation, Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor, a Senior New Voices Fellow, Aspen Institute (Nigeria/USA), elucidated the potential of community-based adult education programmes to enhance health literacy and reproductive health awareness, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Nsofor emphasized the role of healthcare professionals in promoting adult literacy to combat issues such as early child marriage and improve overall health outcomes.
Furthermore, Fatma Aytac – Red Pepper Organization/Women’s Party (Turkey), underscored the importance of adult literacy initiatives in intersecting with poverty alleviation strategies and empowering women.
She highlighted the crucial role of grassroots organizations in advocating for policies that combat early child marriage and promote sustainable development within households.
In conclusion, SLNI COO Miss Abbas said: “We are thrilled to have hosted such a successful event at CSW68, where we had the opportunity to explore the transformative power of adult education, it was engaging and people had great things to say.
“The insights shared by our esteemed speakers have underscored the importance of investing in education to drive rural development and empower households worldwide.”