By Chioma Umeha
A 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow, Ms. Chidinma
Mbanasor, on Monday concluded a series of vocational rehabilitation and
economic empowerment programme for 60 Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) survivors in
Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
The training session which spanned over a period
of seven days was targeted at the socio-economic reintegration of women who
have undergone fistula repair surgeries, especially those whose husbands
abandoned them as a result of their medical condition.
“The majority of these VVF survivors are peasants,
petty traders, and housewives who have difficulty supporting themselves let
alone their families. The situation becomes even more complicated when they are
abandoned by their husbands and family members.”
“Equipping women who have undergone fistula repair
with self-sustaining skills can strengthen their capacity to care for
themselves with a view to helping them reclaim their lives and return to their
communities with pride and independence after treatment,” Chidinma Mbanasor, a
midwife and reproductive health provider said.
During the program, which was held at the National
Obstetric Fistula Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, the participants attended
sessions on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship, hygiene, and reproductive
health. They were also empowered with free start-off packages in their chosen
areas of interest.
Ms. Mbanasor was awarded a public diplomacy grant
by the United States Consulate General in Lagos to carry out the project.
Public Affairs Officer Darcy Zotter lauded Mbanasor’s advocacy for women and
young girls, particularly survivors of obstetric fistula.
“Untreated fistula can have a devastating impact
on women’s lives due to a whole range of physical, psychological, and
socio-economic consequences. We applaud Ms. Chidinma Mbanasor’s renewed focus
on Vesico-Vaginal Fistula survivors and for taking the bold step of providing
support for them,” Public Affairs Officer Darcy Zotter said.
Contingent upon availability of funds, the Public
Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos works with
non-government organizations (NGOs), academic institutions, and individuals,
through small grants, to provide financial support to a specific program or
initiative that supports shared goals.
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