Save Nigerian Women And Girls From Hardship, Resolve Fuel Scarcity, Cash Crunch Now – Princess Mimi Cries Out
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As the country grapples with the scarcity of petrol and new naira swap saga, the President Nigeria Female Youth Organization, Princess Mimi Peter has called on necessary bodies to save Nigerian women and girls from hardship as they are at the receiving end.
The president made the plea during a press conference organized by Coalition of Nigerian Youth on Security and Safety Affairs (CONYSSA) in collaboration with Civil Society Organisations held Friday 10th February, 2023 in Abuja.
Princess Mimi expressed worries at the growing hardship meted out against women and girls over the scarcity.
She said the fuel and new naira notes scarcity has created unnecessary hardship for a lot of Nigerians especially women and girls with an election on the horizon.
She stated that the scarcity had resulted in astronomical rise in transportation costs, especially for female traders who transverse the country to buy foodstuff and other household items, while the economic implication is increased cost of living.
According to her, the scarcity has exposed Nigerian women and girls to violence as miscreants have capitalised on it to snatch phones and rob people of possessions while on long queues.
She lamented that if the situation was not checked, it could force thousands of Nigerian women out of business because of rising inflation that will consume their capital and run them out of business.
She maintained that lack of petroleum products to power street lights exposed women and girls to rapists and urchins who hide behind the cover of darkness to perpetrate harm, and cause them untold psychological, mental health challenges and physical trauma.
She stated that the scarcity had resulted in astronomical rise in transportation costs, especially for female traders who transverse the country to buy foodstuff and other household items, while the economic implication is increased cost of living.
She lamented that if the situation was not checked, it could force thousands of Nigerian women out of business because of cash scarcity and rising inflation that will consume their capital and run them out of business.
According to Mimi, if not addressed immediately, the fuel and cash scarcity will result in hunger and starvation as “the prices of cooking gas, kerosene, coal has quadrupled and we are worried they may increase way above our reach, which may subject us to hunger and starvation”.
She stated that the number of women and girls exposed to spousal violence and other forms of gender-based violence had increased within few days because after spending long hours on fuel and ATM queues, husbands return home to display their frustration on them (the women).
Earlier speaking, the CONYSSA, Amb. Ade Mario Emmanuel, expressed concern that Nigerians are facing petrol shortages and chaos at banks over a new currency swap ahead of presidential elections later this month.
“There are fears that if not properly addressed, the crises, including insecurity as well as fuel and naira scarcity, may negatively impact the voters’ turnout and disrupt elections”, he added.
“The concept of going cashless policy, which we find laudable should not cause undue hardship nor be burdensome to citizens.
“Access to PMS and other basic needs of life are fundamental to daily existence and survival”, Mario said.
He condemned the sufferings the masses are being put through and called on government to act fast to douse the tension.
“We are also mindful of the security situation of the country through a significant effort is witnessed from the ongoing kinetic engagement of the military, but it is noteworthy that security and safety of citizens is almost jettisoned at the expense of the ongoing policy coupled with the fact that the system is not ready for its take off”, he said.
