Date: 2018-04-27

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kwara branch, on Thursday began the training of no fewer than 40 indigent women and widows in Ilorin to enable them acquire vocational skills.

The beneficiaries drawn from the three senatorial districts of the state were trained in soap making and cake baking to mark the 2018 FIDA Kwara week.

Mrs Salmat Mohammed, the state chairperson of FIDA, stated that the programme was conceived to alleviate poverty and suffering among the women folks.

She said women and children are the most vulnerable in society, adding that the empowerment programme would have a national impact.

"It is to enhance community development and proffer solutions to some of the endemic community challenges posed by harmful traditional practices against widows.

"Women as we all know are not helpless in spite of existing challenges around the world. They are decision makers for themselves, families, villages, business and governments.

"For societies where this is not the case, people speak of the need for women's empowerment, which could be political, social and economical.

"Here, people have been lending their voices for emancipation of women.

"With recognition of this problem come well intentioned FIDA members, who have been home makers, builders, givers, defenders, providers who want to give power to women," she said.

She promised that the federation would expand the scope of the training to include other areas in its subsequent years.

In his remarks, Mrs Ifeoluwa Akosile, who chaired the training session, said that the platform would provide the beneficiaries 'seed money' that they could harness.

She advised the beneficiaries to turn the opportunity provided by the training to improve their living condition