IWS reiterates commitment to empowering women

The International Women’s Society (IWS) has pledged to continue empowering the disadvantaged in the country, particularly women and children.

The President of IWS, Mrs Izabella Abia-Okon, said this during the association’s April meeting and cultural exchange programme, on Tuesday in Lagos.

IWS held the meeting in collaboration with the Nigerian-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce.

Abia-Okon recalled that IWS established a skills acquisition centre in Lagos State, in 1999, to elevate socioeconomic status of women.

She said an average of 100 students graduate annually from the centre.

The centre offers vocational training in catering and events management, sewing and fashion designing, makeup, adult literacy and computer-related courses.

IWS president said the centre is helping to promote the springing-up of more micro-enterprises, thereby addressing the scourge of unemployment, especially among the womenfolk.

She explained that the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) had certified the skills.

This has enabled the centre to turn out graduates, who can work anywhere in the world.

She, however, called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the association to continue empowering the less privileged in society.

“As an NGO project, we face financial challenges in sustaining our operations and providing quality hands-on training, scholarships and start-up support for our graduates.

“We rely on the support of generous donors and together we can make a difference in the lives of the less privileged in our society,” Abia-Okon said.