• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
AFRIPOL

AFRIPOL

en English
ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianpt Portugueseru Russianes Spanish
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Mission Statement
  • Articles
  • Book Review
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

International Women’s Day: Putting Nigeria’s Women First

March 8, 2013 by Admin Leave a Comment

Written by Dr Amina Aminu

Nigerian women wikipedia

This year’s International Women’s Day’s theme; “Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum – ending the cycle of violence” could not have come at a better time especially for countries such as Nigeria where the ‘life cycle’ of women happens to be a very eventful one. Though national figures suggest a life expectancy of 50 years for women as compared to 48 years for men (Nigeria Democratic Health Survey 2008), the rigors women experience throughout their lifetime cannot be overemphasized and in some cases, are unimaginable.

As a woman in Nigeria, the struggle begins from birth. In many communities, the birth of a girl does not call for a grand celebration and the girl child is still not accorded the same educational opportunity as her male counterparts. This puts her at a disadvantage from a very young age. Girls are also exposed to the hazards of rape and sexual violence from as early as three years of age. This inevitably results in a greater threat of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, most notably HIV/AIDS.

The challenges of childbearing and management of fertility also put women at a very high risk of illnesses and death. While access to skilled birth attendance greatly improves the outcomes of women and their babies, less than 40% of women in Nigeria have this and up to 20% are delivered by untrained traditional birth attendants (National Demographic Health Survey 2008). Essential services such as family planning are poorly utilized, with only 24% of women using modern methods. As a result, an average Nigerian woman is likely to give birth to more than five children by the end of her childbearing years.

It is against this background that the Partnership for Transforming Health Systems Phase II (PATHS2), a six year project funded by UK aid from the Department for International Development (DFID), has been supporting the government of Nigeria at the national level and in five focal states (Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Enugu and Lagos) to implement client focused interventions aimed at improving the health of women and children especially in rural areas. As part of national level support, PATHS2 is partnering with stakeholders to support efforts to ensure the National Health Bill becomes a reality. This bill pledges to provide a basic minimum package of healthcare services to all Nigerians by allocating resources to fund essential healthcare services such as pregnancy care, skilled birth attendance, post-natal care and routine immunization which are critical to the lives of women and children especially in the poorest communities.

To support health facilities to better serve the needs of communities, most especially women and children, PATHS2 has renovated 87 primary health care centers in its five focal states. In addition, drugs and essential equipment such as ultrasound machines have been delivered to 1,440 health facilities. More than 1,500 health care workers in PATHS2 supported states have also been trained on life saving skills, Post Abortion Care, Family Planning, Newborn Care and Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses among others. Through these interventions, health facilities have become better equipped to provide quality services in a client-focused approach.

At the community level, PATHS2 works closely with community volunteers to raise awareness on women’s issues and mobilize men and women to become advocates for maternal and child health. Rapid awareness raising and safe motherhood initiatives are also being conducted in rural communities to inform citizens about common health problems and the importance of accessing health care in health centers.

PATHS2 will continue to support the government of Nigeria to improve the health and lives of women, especially in rural communities. It is hoped that through these interventions and more, Nigerian women will be able to join their counterparts in other parts of the world to truly celebrate International Women’s Day.

Dr Amina Aminu, Director of Service Delivery, Partnership for Transforming Health Systems Phase 2.  Twitter: www.twitter.com/paths2

Filed Under: Strategic Research & Analysis

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

More to See

Press Release: Presidential Election Judgement on Sept. 6

September 5, 2023 By AFRIPOL

“Nigerian music is very heavy on fusion…the sound is never stagnant” – CKay

September 3, 2023 By AFRIPOL

RSS AllAfrica News: Latest

  • Liberia: YMCA Launches 'Ride for Peace' Campaign, Engaging Motorcyclists On the Importance of Peaceful Elections
    [FrontPageAfrica] Monrovia -- The call for violence-free elections in Liberia resonates with both Liberians and numerous local and international non-governmental organizations. One such organization committed to spreading the message of peace is the YMCA Liberia.
  • Liberia: ALJA Elects New Corps of Officers
    [FrontPageAfrica] Minneapolis -- The Association Of Liberian Journalists In The Americas (ALJA) has elected a new corps of officers to steer the affairs of the organization for the next 2 years. Those elected are Mr. Pewee Baysah, National President, Mrs. Kadiatu Brohiri, National Vice President and Mr. Joey Kennedy, National Secretary-General. Others include Mr. Stanley […]
  • Liberia: 'Seasoned Manager Needed, Not Politician, to Fix Liberia' - Cllr. Brumskine
    [FrontPageAfrica] Monrovia -- Counselor Charlyne Brumskine, the Vice Standard Bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP), has emphasized that the current economic challenges facing Liberians demand experienced managers rather than politicians to address the desperate need for economic development and the creation of numerous jobs for thousands of unemployed Liberians.
  • Liberia: Citizens Warned Against Eating Sperm Whale Swept Ashore in Palm Bush Community
    [FrontPageAfrica] It has come to the attention of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) that citizens of the Palm Bush Community in Duazon, adjacent the Silver Beach were seen cutting through a dead sea animal assumed to be a sperm whale for consumption.
  • Liberia: Dr. Clarence Moniba of Linu Condemns the National Election Commission's Violation of Electoral Laws
    [FrontPageAfrica] Monrovia -- Dr. Clarence Moniba, the Standard Bearer of the Liberia National Union (LINU), has strongly denounced the National Election Commission (NEC) for what he considers a grave violation of Liberia's electoral laws, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the upcoming October 10th elections.
  • Liberia: Mount. District 12 Electorates Hopeful of True Leadership As Pastoral Network and Others Endorse Abdulrahman Barry
    [FrontPageAfrica] Monrovia -- Abdulrahman Barry may appear to be running a bit behind in his bid to unseat the current lawmaker of the district he hopes to represent in the Legislature. However, his competitors are currently engaging in a series of swift campaigns to push him ahead of his peers vying for the Democratic seat.

Tags

Achebe Africa Anambra Boko Haram Buhari CBN Corona Virus Egypt Igbo IMF Inflation Jonathan Kenya Nigeria Okonjo Iweala Peter Obi Sanusi Senate Soludo South Africa Soyinka United States
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Archives

Footer

Africa Political and Economic Strategic Center, AFRIPOL is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa.

Recent

  • U.S. Advises Citizens to ‘Reconsider travel to Nigeria due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed gangs.’
  • US Judge Delays order that Chicago State University provide documents at center-of Nigerian presidential dispute
  • Malawi’s President Chakwera calls for debt cancellation, UN reforms with permanent seat for Africa
  • Nigeria’s President Tinubu Addresses United Nations General Debate, 78th Session
  • PhotoNews: Giannis opens luring Greek restaurant in Milwaukee, USA

Search

Tags

Achebe Africa Anambra Boko Haram Buhari CBN Corona Virus Egypt Igbo IMF Inflation Jonathan Kenya Nigeria Okonjo Iweala Peter Obi Sanusi Senate Soludo South Africa Soyinka United States

Copyright © 2023 · AFRIPOL