From TCNEWS
To commemorate the year 2024 International Women’s Day, the Nwanyi Okpuzu initiative (The She-Technician) organized a soap-making workshop for the women of Ufodo, a rural community in Enugu Ezike, Igbo-Eze North, Enugu State.
Speaking during the workshop, Nwanyi Okpuzu Initiative Program Coordinator, Miss Perpetua Ifeyinwa Aleke, pointed out that the workshop was designed to empower the women by teaching them a practical skill that they could use to benefit their families and communities.
Aleke, who encouraged the Ufodo women to embrace their identity as empowered and capable individuals who can make a difference in the world, also inspired them to recognize their inclusion and significance in society and to appreciate the value they bring to their communities.
She described the International Women’s Day as a call to action for everyone to work together to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and promote inclusion, hence the need for the women of Ufodo to support and uplift each other, to continue to grow and thrive as individuals and as a collective.
The Program Coordinator who torched/ touched on the theme of this year’s celebration; “Inspire Inclusion” with it’s slogan as, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress, said, “Nwanyi Okpuzu is proud to have played a role in supporting these women, and we look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in the future”.
“Today, we are celebrating the women of Ufodo, who represent the diversity, strength, and resilience of women everywhere. Nwanyi Okpuzu is proud to be part of a global movement for women’s empowerment, and we are committed to making a lasting impact.
“The theme of this year’s celebration is – Inspire Inclusion, and the non-governmental organization, Nwanyi Okpuzu is excited to do just that.
“We’re also grateful to have the opportunity to work with Engr. Mrs. Chibuogwu Nneka Okoro, who founded the Nwanyi Okpuzu Initiative with a vision of supporting and empowering young girls and women”, Aleke stated further.
In her speech also during the soap-making workshop, Miss Blessing Eze, an entrepreneur and experienced soap maker, encouraged the women to make the workshop a huge success, get inspired and motivated to use their newfound skills to improve their lives.
She also shared her expertise and knowledge with the women of Ufodo, to encourage them to get empowered with their skills and build confidence to make their own soap at home.
Appreciating the Nwanyi Okpuzu Initiative, the Ufodo lead woman, Mrs. Ossai Louisa Ifeoma, appreciated Perpetua Aleke’s message of inclusivity, which she said has not only empowered them but has resonated deeply with the women of Ufodo, who now feel more confident and empowered than ever before.
Expressing further the gratitude of the women of Ufodo to Nwanyi Okpuzu initiative, for providing the valuable opportunity to learn a new skill, the lead woman said, ‘’We are amazed by the beautiful work of Nwanyi Okpuzu and we thank the organization for remembering us today.
“We will put into practice what we learned today as we hope for a better tomorrow for all of us.
“Also through this workshop, the women of Ufodo have shown that with the right support and resources, we can achieve great things.
Mrs Ossai who commended her women for demonstrating resilience, strength, and courage, and for proving that with hard work and determination, anything is possible, appreciated the inspirational stories told by Nwanyi Okpuzu Initiative team, which she described as a reminder that change is always possible.
Uvyes Ukamaka Uzobuibuole was among the volunteers from Nwanyi Okpuzu Initiative, who attended the workshop.