Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of Ondo State Governor, on Tuesday distributed delivery kits tagged “Solayo Kit” to indigent pregnant women in Akure South Local Government Area of the state.
“Solayo” is an initiative for the provision of a life-saving solution for maternal and child health challenges in the state.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who explained that the gesture was to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day celebration, said the kits contained a complete maternity delivery kit for the needy expectant mothers.
She explained that the delivery kits were distributed annually to indigent pregnant women across the 18 local government areas to ensure that they were not left to bear the current economic burden alone.
“We have kept with this gesture since it began in 2018 and we will continue to do this as a constant reminder to women that Akeredolu-led administration takes seriously matter that affect women.
“Let us do likewise in our own little ways so that we can remain a strong, united whole. Let us help ourselves while holding hands as champions that we are,” she said.
The wife of the governor, therefore, called on women to rise up and raised their voices against all limiting traditions and clamour for a constitution that is fair to all, particularly womenfolk.
She said there was no better time for women to rise and raise a collective voice than now.
According to her, women who enjoy equal freedom as men in other parts of the world did not just sit by and lament.
“They did not get it by wishful thinking, but by the courage of conviction and consistent struggle.
“Women cannot continue to suffer these social, cultural, and economic troubles in silence or give up on the possibility of winning in the long run.
“We must begin the process of breaking free from these man-made challenges that are deliberately designed to stop women from reaching comparable heights.
“This process of freeing women from these limitations must begin with us as individuals.
“In our own corners of the world, we must stand up for ourselves as women, speak up and support ourselves.
“It is true that the challenges we face are many and tough, and it appears that we have developed a thick skin for our trouble in many respects,” she said.
The wife of the governor, therefore, appreciated women for standing tall despite the cultural and socioeconomic difficulties that they face on daily basis.
Earlier, Mrs Olufunke Olaniyi, Chairperson, Akure South Local Government, who appreciated the wife of the governor for the gesture, said the delivery kits would reduce the rate of maternal mortality among women in the state.
“We all know that the wife of the governor is working to reduce the number of pregnant women who died as a result of the inability to afford essential birth materials required by the health centres.
“It is on this note that Her Excellency is giving out free birth kits to 50 pregnant women in Akure South Local Government Area of the state,” she said. (NAN)