DeltaWomen

Delta Women is a non-governmental organization founded primarily to enable the women of Delta State, Nigeria. The organization advocates for women rights, creates awareness and holds seminars on child abuse and campaigns on female sexual harassment in higher educational institutions.

The organization is involved in awareness creation through blogging, publications, open letters and the use of social networks such as Facebook and Twitter

DeltaWomen was set up with the primary aim of transforming women in Delta State by providing them with the knowledge and tools they need to take their rightful place in society.^[4]

History of DeltaWomen

19 April 2010

Elsie Ijorogu-Reed, founder of DeltaWomen NGO

Since its creation DeltaWomen as grown rapidly, thanks to national and international volunteers at the organisation. The organisation now has offices and presence in Delta State, Nigeria, where it was created; London, United Kingdom, the organisation's first international office; and Houston Texas, the United States, being the latest office to be opened. In 2011, Delta Women's volunteer, Paola Brigneti won the UN Online Volunteering Award.^[5] In 2012, Delta Women's volunteer, Kirthi Jayakumar, won the UN Online Volunteering award.^[6]

Projects

The organisation currently runs various women empowering and community development products which are recursive every year, and in some cases, on a monthly bases. These are some of the products the organisation is currently and actively working on: Big Sister Initiative, Rural Women Empowerment, War against Women Violence, Mentorship and leadership initiative, DeltaWomen Against Teenage Pregnancy In Nigeria, Career Counseling /Workforce and Training Initiative, End Female Sexual Harassment In Nigeria Higher Educational Institutions^[7]

Big Sister Initiative

Big Sister Initiative Poster

Equally, the Big Sister initiative is designed for members to mentor other members, serving as a listening ear in times of trouble, a resourceful heart in times of crisis, and the source of wisdom when counsel is needed.^[8]

With the big sister initiative, DeltaWomen aims to provide and make the following services assessable to everyone who requires the service:

• Mentoring of young girls
• Mentoring of women by qualified and experienced women mentors
• A mentoring community built on trust and respect where advice on women and other related issues is provided
• Assisting mentors with up-to-date mentoring literatures
• Teaching and equipping mentees to become mentors themselves

Rural Women Empowerment

Rural women empowerment is another interesting initiative that addresses the needs of rural women, by encouraging them to play active roles in decision making efforts related to the health, social welfare and finances of their families through advocacy, increased business knowledge, training, education, mentorship and support.^[9]

War against Women Violence

Dear to Elsie’s heart is the aspect of her NGO works that deals with the issue of violence against women. "DeltaWomen is highly engaged in the war against women violence," she declares. "We try to raise issues relating to this subject in government or public and educational institutions and with people in positions to do something about it. We also vigorously campaign against sexual harassment of women, which goes hand in hand with violence against women.^[10]

DeltaWomen Against Teenage Pregnancy In Nigeria

Teenage pregnancy is one of the social and cultural degradation currently sweeping through Nigeria, and Africa as a whole. Teenage girls are being made mothers before they even leave primary school, hence bringing these teenage mothers under the umbrella of poverty, hardship, molestation and all other forms of inhumain treatment.

These young girls, some as young as 12, are being force into sexual relationships which results to them being pregnant and becoming mothers at an early age when they should be looked after by their parents. Under the project "DeltaWomen against Teenage Pregnancy in Nigeria", DeltaWomen launched a campaign on this project in Mereje, a village in Delta State, Nigeria, where teenage pregnancy is on the raise yearly. This event was the launch of the "DeltaWomen Against Teenage Pregnancy In Nigeria" initiative.

These are pictures taken during the DeltaWomen Against Teenage Pregnancy In Nigeria Event; taken from the organisation website^[11]

End Female Sexual Harassment In Nigeria Higher Educational Institutions

Female Sexual Harassment in Higher Educational Institution in Nigeria is projected aimed at unmasking the hash and shameful realities of female sexual harassments in Nigeria educational Institutions. Over the years there have been numerous incidents where lecturers will demand sex from students for higher grades or for preferential treatment. This hideous crime has gone unreported and uncovered for decades hence given the culprits more boldness and room to compel students to act against their will, therefore breaching their human right.

Early this year DeltaWomen issued an open letter titled Female Sexual Harassment in Delta State Higher Educational Institutions, which was published by a newspaper in Delta State, Nigeria. DeltaWomen used the Open Letter to launch this project and the reception thus far from the general public, in and outside Nigeria, has been very supportive and encouraging.

In addition to the open letter, DeltaWomen also issued out a petition, online and in hard copies, to gather signatures which will presented to the House of Assemble together with a legislature draft which DeltaWomen legal team have drawn up.

References

External links

• Organisation website
• Organisation blogging website
• Social media stimulates Nigerian debate on sexual violence
• Trafficking Police Detain Rivers Mother For Forcefully Pimping Daughter
• residents walk to protest ABSU rape
• New Hope for Identifying Cervical Cancer