Enugu State, Nigeria – On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the Women Empowerment Education and Peace Building Initiative (WEPBI) recently conducted a familiarization and sensitization visit to Ugba-Edogiri, a small community in Enugu East Local Government Area. The visit revealed a stark reality for the residents, particularly the women and girls, who face significant challenges due to a lack of basic amenities and opportunities.
The community primarily relies on subsistence farming, which often proves insufficient. Many women are compelled to work as laborers at construction sites, performing physically demanding tasks to provide for their families, this arduous work takes a heavy toll, leaving little time for personal development or other pursuits.
The situation for young girls is particularly concerning. Teenage pregnancies are prevalent, thrusting girls into motherhood prematurely and hindering their education and future prospects, they often find themselves caring for children with limited resources and support, perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
Ugba-Edogiri lacks essential infrastructure. The absence of electricity, healthcare facilities, and secondary schools creates significant barriers to progress, many children are forced to drop out of school due to financial hardship, and even those who acquire vocational skills struggle to establish businesses due to a lack of funding. The community’s youth face limited opportunities and are particularly vulnerable to unemployment and lack of positive influences.
During the WEPBI’s the team engaged with community members, listening to their concerns and experiences. While addressing the young girls, WEPBI’s Executive Director, Oguadimma Ijeoma Joy, emphasized the need to focus on building their futures and not allowing their backgrounds to define their lives. She highlighted the importance of education and skills acquisition.
“You are the leaders of tomorrow,” Oguadimma Ijeoma Joy stated. “Don’t let your current circumstances define you. Focus on your education, learn valuable skills, and strive for a brighter future. You have the potential to achieve great things.”
In response, the youth leader of the community, Mr. Igwe Sunday, expressed his gratitude for WEPBI’s visit. “We appreciate WEPBI for deeming it fit to visit our community,” he said. “We would like the organization to assist the young people in the community with skill acquisition and provide start-up kits. Many of us have skills but are unable to start businesses due to financial constraints. We also desperately need a secondary school in our community.”
WEPBI’s visit to Ugba-Edogiri underscores the critical need for sustainable development initiatives. Access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities are essential for empowering the women and girls of this community and breaking the cycle of poverty. A collaborative effort involving government agencies, NGOs, and private stakeholders is crucial to address the complex challenges facing Ugba-Edogiri and create a brighter future for its residents.
WEPBI is committed to supporting initiatives that empower communities like Ugba-Edogiri and advocate for their needs.