The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen has urged Nigerian women to stock food, vegetable and water so as to effectively manage their homes during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

She also urged them to be extra cautious in sourcing water, firewood and local herbs, as well as stock adequate sanitary materials including soaps, detergents, disinfectants and personal toiletries.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, the minister also urged them to abide by sanitisation instructions including washing hands with soap and water as well as use of sanitisers and fumigation of the home and environment.

Tallen appealed to Commissioners of Women Affairs to  rise up to the challenge  and be proactive in supporting women and children through this trying times.

She said, “To ensure a well-coordinated approach in managing the home level  dimension to the pandemic, all  state Commissioners of Women Affairs are kindly requested to update the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, on a daily basis to mitigate the negative impact of the virus on families.”

She urged women groups and organisations at all levels, including faith-based and grassroots organisations to respect constituted authority and adhere to all government directives on hosting of public events such as village meetings, town meetings, weddings, burials, celebrations and all festive activities.

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She appealed to corporate organisations and well-meaning businessmen and women to understand the peculiar predicament of women in managing homes at this crucial time and extend support and palliative measures to buffer the homes.

Tallen noted that as a result of the Corona virus, there would be additional challenges on women. She said there will be reduced participation in food production and the agricultural value chain, increased pressure on food preparation, serving, preservation and the storage of the informal food vending sub-sector.

She also said there will be additional challenge on caring for children, the youth and elderly and ensuring continued education for school age children.

The minister said other challenges for women  include maintaining adequate sanitation level of homes, neighbourhoods and the community, as well as ensuring that recreational and health needs are met even under the shutdown circumstances.