No fewer than 1,000 widows of Biu Local Government Area of Borno, have been empowered by the Yaharakari Women and Youth Empowerment Foundation (YWYEF), a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) within the last three years.
The Executive Director of YWYEF, Mrs Rejoice Mshelbwala, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Biu.
Mshelbwala said that the training aimed at supporting the recovery of women and children affected by insurgency within Borno South.
She also said that insurgency had created a serious humanitarian crisis for women and children, hence the need to support them to live better as well as improve their welfare.
According to her, women who have been made widows as a result of the insurgency and have come to Biu LGA are being supported by my foundation, and we are supporting them through skill acquisition training with a view to equipping them with the necessary skills to earn a living and have a good life.
“We teach them tailoring, making soaps and other common household items as well as good marketing skills to help them sell and make money for themselves.
“We also support them with the needed tools and equipment to help them jump-start their businesses and make quick money so they become less vulnerable to any form of abuse.
“Those trained in sewing are already making money and good outfits for their children and neighbours and supporting their families.”
The YWYEF executive director further said that old persons were also being supported as they were vulnerable and have no one to help them.
She called on relevant authorities at the federal, state and local government levels to sustain and increase empowerment and other support programmes for women.
She also appealed to Nigerians to always support widows especially those whose husbands have been killed as a result of insurgency or other violent crimes.
