Journalists charged on widowhood reportage

Professionals in the media have been charged on representation of widowhood in their reportorial. Widowhood is said to be under-represented and lacking in statistics. These, among many other inhumane practices are the defeat and neglect which the widows round the world suffer. The founding president of Widows Rights Action Network (WRAN), Evangelist Angela Effiong gave the challenge a fortnight ago at the media launch of the Liberty 2012 Project. Liberty 2012 is an African Regional Workshop on Awareness Creation and Advocacy for the Right of Widows.

In her address, Evangelist Effiong called on the  media to partner with WRAN and other civil society groups to educate the society on  issues of widowhood  and provoke mass action on the need to begin processes of Law and policy making in order to protect right of widows.

While recognizing the role of the media in strengthening noble advocacies and causes, Effiong challenged the compatriots in the media and the civil society to carry out detailed research on widowhood and begin to focus on aspects of widowhood that are bright, positive and prosperous. Evang. Effiong, expressed her gratitude to the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency Ekaette Unoma Akpabio for reaching out with a heart of mercy  to  the widows in  Akwa Ibom State.

“We must commend the effort and love of Her Excellency, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio for being a channel of blessing for widows… through her, Widows Right Action Network (WRAN) has been able to provide homes for widows, widows’ children have gone back to school and their future secured”.

The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Helen Ukpabio represented by a director in the ministry lent a voice on the travails of widowhood. She encouraged widows and members of Widows Right Action Network to look beyond the immediate pains and rather see life from the positive side. She urged them to take advantage of the coverage provided by the organization.

Also speaking in the same vein, Mrs. Eunice Thomas, the Honourable Commissioner for Education stressed the need to educate the society on cases of widowhood. It is through education and full understanding that stakeholders will come to appreciate the unpaid work, which widows around the world contribute to nation building. Present at the media parley, were heads of media houses and leaders of the civil society. Notable among them were, wetinhappen.com, connoisseur.com and Insight Newspapers

Mr.  Uko Umoh, Publisher of Community Pulse Newspaper who was represented by the Editor-in-Chief Mr. Nsibiet John offered to lend support to the Widows Right Action Network in pushing their campaigns, but encouraged the widows in attendance to live positive lives.  Also, Pastor (Mrs.) Rose Wills, President Ibom
Women Concept threw her weight of support on WRAN and promised to assist in anyway possible.

Mrs. Blessing Isonguyo, a motivational & mental educator and social worker, while addressing the gathering declared support of her organization, Foundation for Sound Minds and Crisis Intervention (FOSMACIN) for WRAN and corroborated the need to feed the  mind with constant nourishing substance. According to her it is through such habits that the human and traumatized widow can live above the most depressing moment.

Addressing Newsmen after the event which took place at Women Development Centre, Idongesit Essien, the consultant on media and communication spoke on why the launch was necessary.

“We are leading a host of women and the international community to a workshop in Liberia holding November 4-9, and so we thought a summarized media event of this nature will set the tone”.  The Project Manager of the workshop project Mr. Manas Daniel thanked everyone who turned up and prayed God to bring them safely as they prepare for the Liberian workshop.