WAPA TRAINS WOMEN IN HOSPITALITY BUSINESS

The Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in conjunction with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has organized a 2-day sensitization programme to enlighten 150 women in Hospitality Business (Commercial Sex) in the State.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Lola Akande, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Abiola Liadi at the opening ceremony, disclosed that the programme was to improve women’s quality of reproductive health care because the gender experience high rates of HIV, unplanned pregnancy and maternal mortality.

She stated that the forum would provide strategic modalities for protecting and safeguarding women in the hospitality business by teaching them how to live a healthy life as well as support and empower them.

According to the Commissioner, those in the Hospitality business must be mindful of the daily hazards related to their trade such as sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, hence the need to use condoms and other contraceptives to safeguard themselves.

She, however, advised them to also acquire vocational skills provided free of charge at any of the Ministry’s Skill Acquisition Centers spread across the State.

Mrs.Oyinade Nathan-Marsh, a Director from the Development Partnership Department, spoke on the need for women to empower themselves and live a healthy life while other resource persons spoke on many gender issues including the use contraceptives for protection against diseases and unwanted pregnancy, regular health status checks and the need to inculcate the habit of healthy living in order to rid the society of sexually transmitted diseases.