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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Catholic Priest in charge of Holy Ghost Parish, Makurdi Diocese, Rev Fr Moses Iorapuu, has called on men across the world to treat women right to engender peace and happiness in the society.
Fr Iorapuu gave this charge on Sunday, March 3, 2024, during his homily at the thanksgiving Mass organized by the United Nations Refugee Commission, (UNHCR) in collaboration with Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare and Social Development.
The thanksgiving was held at the holy Ghost Parish in Makurdi as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day, (IWD). The theme is “Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.”
Speaking, the cleric admonish men to respect their women and take good care of them, as they occupy a special place, not only in the homes and society, but in the heart of God.
Iorapuu, who is the Vicar General Pastoral Makurdi Diocese, said women are clothed in strength, honour and dignity said “If she is not your mother, she is your wife, sister, daughter or friend.
“The woman never rests in the home even though the Bible prescribed rest. She is the last to sleep and the first to wake up. When you are sick, they are there for you.
“Today, we want to thank God for their lives and charge everyone in the society especially the men, to take good care of their women because if that is done, the world would in peace and happiness.”
The Catholic Priest who noted that the world would be a better place if half of the ministers and Commissioners appointed in Nigeria were women, prayed God to give the women the opportunities that would break them away from the numerous inhibitions and smiles put smiles on their faces.
Speaking also, Associate Protection Officer with UNHCR, Caritas Irene Babu, said the organization is collaboration with the state ministry of women affairs to invest in Women especially those among the IDPs as their human rights and also end poverty among them following the nature of displacement which has depriving them of their source of livelihood.
She said other key areas needing joint action includes among others implementing inclusive responsive financial for women in communities where herdsmen attacks have dislodged the population and they are unable to return to their ancestral homes.
Sh urged the men to support the women both at home and outside to enable them reach their potentials.
During the thanksgiving Mass, Babu and the representatives of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gethrude Azahan in company of partners and women parishioners of the church, were joined by the men in calling for support to enable women actualise their God – given potentials.
The men were made to also bear placards and read out the various inscriptions such as “I will celebrate women’s achievements to inspire their inclusion and progress,” “I will maintain an inclusive mindset to inspire inclusion”, “We will inspire others about inclusion,”
Others read “Girls and women deserve to be treated with respect, do not hit them,” “We will forge positive visibility for women.” “We will challenged gender stereotypes, discrimination and bias against women,,” “No intimate partners physical violence, no child abuse, no partners sexual violence,” among others.
On her part, the Special Adviser to the Benue State governor on Youths and Sports, Elizabeth Idoko, encourage the women to live a healthy and active lifestyle saying a healthy woman is a wealthy woman.
According to Gethrude Azahan, from the Ministry Of Women Affairs, and Deborah Hembadoon from the Foundation for Justice, Development and Peace, (FJDP), activities lined up for the International Women’s week include school sensitisation of students on their rights, gender equality, public enlightenment, among others.
