The Permanent Secretary, Common Services, of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Olubunmi Olowookere said her office would collaborate with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Sure Smiles Women and Children Advocacy Initiative, to ensure improved women empowerment, education and skills acquisition.
Olowookere made the promise when she received the founder/president of Sure Smiles Women and Children Advocacy Initiative, Dr (Mrs) Chioma Uzo-Udegbunam, who was on a courtesy visit to her office.
She also promised to partner with the NGO in it’s sensitisation efforts against child molestation, child abuse and child hawking.
The permanent secretary noted that the women empowerment programmes of the organisation are laudable since women are the primary caregivers in the society.
She expressed concerns on gender-based violence in the society, even as she pointed out that the menace is a two-way street.
Olowookere commended the giant strides of the NGO over the years, noting that the organisation is first to pay such a courtesy visit to her office since she assumed office.as the permanent secretary of Common Services.
Speaking earlier, the founder/president of Sure Smiles Women and Children Advocacy Initiative, Dr (Mrs) Chioma Uzo-Udegbunam, explained that the organisation was on the visit to seek collaboration with the Common Services for improved women empowerment, education and skills acquisition programmes
Uzo-Udegbunam disclosed that Sure Smiles Women and Children Advocacy Initiative is also in collaboration with the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to safeguard the interest of women and children.
She revealed that the organisation, which has been in existence for 14 yeas, has passionately been involved in the protection of women and the girl-child, sensitisation against female genital mutilation and the promotion of gender equality, even as she noted that the primary mandate of the NGO is to assist women and the vulnerable.