The government has been urged to harmonize and use existing database in the country to reach out to vulnerable persons across the country.
The advice was given by Comrade Adeola Ekine, chairperson, Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists while speaking on The Woman Agenda, a radio program on Women FM, 91.7.
Speaking on COVID-19 Response – Women Inclusion and Accountability, Ekine noted that the use of existing database would ensure that the palliatives and relief packages from the government gets to everyone who truly needs it.
Though she commended the efforts of the government in reaching out to 2.6 million households under the COVID-19 response scheme, she however noted that that it is not sufficient in a country with a population of over 200 million persons and over 80 million people living below poverty line.
Ekine stressed that “this pandemic has changed the financial status of so many people and there is a need for the government to consider this and make the palliative cover so many households.”
The NAWOJ chairperson also explained the need for women’s inclusion in the COVID-19 response.
“It is sad that our government on a daily basis keeps disregarding women and the impact we can bring, we still have a long way to go in covid-19 response, women should not be disregarded”, she added.
She noted that although women are worst hit in this pandemic, they can be part of the recovery.