A coalition of women groups under the PACFaH@Scale project has called on the National Assembly to pass laws on 35% affirmative action for women involvement and inclusion in governance.
The women coalition made the call on Sunday while briefing newsmen as part of activities to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day, with the theme: “I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights.”
“Women have poor representation in leadership positions in government including health boards such as health management boards, and primary healthcare boards,” they said.
The President of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Dr. Gloria Larabai Shoda, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, called on the three tiers of government to fund, implement and ensure accountability of programmes to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 5) which is “Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.”
“This is an important goal for us to achieve. Nigerian government has the duty to fulfill women’s rights pledges, and provide all women with accessible, affordable, good quality sexual and reproductive healthcare and services,” the coalition said.
The women groups called on government at all levels in the country to fund, strengthen and ensure accountability of the national and state primary health care boards.
They also called on the government to ensure provision of minimum service package in all primary healthcare centres.
While urging government at all levels to provide emergency transportation to pregnant women and newborns in need, they said government should also provide training to all skilled birth attendants on essential newborn care and provide appropriate equipment.
“Community leaders, gate keepers, traditional and religious leaders, and other well-meaning Nigerians should promote voluntary blood donation to assist women in need,” they said.
The women groups also called on all state governments to ensure that women are given six months maternity leave, with full pay.
They added that women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights were human rights, and were fundamental to women’s autonomy and well-being.
They said some of the barriers to equality in women’s health include: lack of women’s education, illiteracy, lack of mentorship of younger generation, harmful traditional practices, early marriage, gender-based violence, and negligence of women with special needs.
The women groups comprise Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Women in Media Communication Initiative (WIM-PAS), National Association of Nigeria Pediatric Nurses (NANPAN), Global Initiative for Women & Children (GIWAC-PAS), and FOMWAN-PAS.
Meanwhile, while speaking on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Dr. Minnie Oseji, the National President Medical Women Association of Nigeria advised women to protect themselves via increased personal hygiene, avoid large gathering and avoid spreading rumours about the disease, among others.
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