N’Delta Women Raise Alarm Over Oil Pollution-Related Fertility Issues

As the world marks International Women’s Day, women in the Niger Delta region have said theg are experiencing severe fertility issues due to oil pollution.

Emem Okon, Executive Director of Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, made this known at the opening session of the 8th Edition of the Niger Delta Women Day of Action for Environmental Justice. 

She noted that women in the region experience early menopause, which causes problems due to societal and family pressures.

She stated that the 2022 Africa Climate and Gender Review, revealed that African women are fourteen times more likely to die or be severely impacted during a climate disaster, saying women also make up 80% of climate refugees.

She said “Oil pollution have caused severe fertility issues among women in the Niger Delta, women experience early menopause and these are causing problems because when a woman does not have a child they are traumatized by both families and the society.” 

She added that as part of Environmental justice organizations, such as the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre, and WOMIN Africa, they are playing a key role in promoting environmental justice and defending communities against climate change.

According to her, this year’s International Women’s Day celebration is an opportunity to recognize the role of women in the environmental justice struggle, emphasizing that the theme “Accelerate Action” demonstrates need for swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality.

In a related development, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has joined the global community in celebrating International Women’s Day, with a focus on its efforts to empower women in Ogoniland.

In a statement issued by Fiiwe, Stephanie Lezigabari, Special Assistant on Women and Youth Development,  to the Project Coordinator of HYPREP  highlighted the various initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, inclusion, and participation of women in the project.

According to her, HYPREP has been intentional in ensuring inclusivity and greater participation of women in its operations. 

She noted that this is evident in the 40% allotment for women on all HYPREP project sites, as well as the empowerment of women in businesses and skills acquisition.

She noted that the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programs have benefited many Ogoni women, with about 40% of them as beneficiaries in the just-concluded skills empowerment program. 

Additionally, 60 Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMSEs) in Ogoniland, with more women as beneficiaries, received business grants of N300,000.00 each.

Furthermore, HYPREP has provided training for women in various skills, including mangrove nursery and planting. The project has also awarded cookstoves to women in Ogoniland to aid in cooking and reduce deforestation.

In the area of education, HYPREP has awarded scholarships to 300 Ogoni postgraduate students, including 100 in PhD programs and 200 in master’s degree programs, with over 100 females benefiting from the scheme.

N’Delta Women Raise Alarm Over Oil Pollution-Related Fertility Issues is first published on The Whistler Newspaper