Motivated by the desire to reach out and give back to the community, Elsie Ijorogu -Reed sought to empower the indigenous women of Delta State and support their needs and basic human rights, thus forming Delta Women. Delta Women is committed to teaching women to become socially, economically, and politically empowered.
Delta Women defines empowerment as increasing the spiritual, political, social, and/or economic strength of women, thus developing confidence in one's own capacities. Empowerment can be likened to the totality of the following (or similar) capabilities:
- Having decision-making power of one's own
- Having access to information and resources to make appropriate decisions
- Having a range of options from which to make informed choices (not just yes/no or either/or.)
- Having the ability to exercise assertiveness in collective decision making
- Engaging in positive thinking regarding the ability to make changes
- Being able to learn skills to improve one's personal and/or group power
- Having the ability to change others' perceptions using democratic means
- Being involved in the never-ending and self-initiated growth process and related changes
- Increasing one's positive self-image and overcoming stigma
The Vision
- To be a contributory force in the emancipation of women by helping them cope with the rigors of the 21st century.
- To assist in the dispensing of myths that have held women bound to the shackles of the past.
- To encourage women's voices to be heard and respected by all.
- To lift the profile of Delta Women and enable them to take a seat in driving the Delta State and Nigeria forward.
The Goals
- To lift the political profile of Delta Women
- To blaze a trail and inspire women throughout Nigeria to become more involved in the socio-economic and political arenas
- To spread awareness on women's issues world over
