By Uzairu Dauda Bunga:
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bauchi State Chapter, in partnership with UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, commemorated International Women’s Day with a strong call for the protection and promotion of women’s health rights.
The event, held in Durum Village, aimed to raise awareness among rural women about their rights, particularly access to quality healthcare and protection from violence.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chairperson of NAWOJ in Bauchi State, Hajiya Rashida Yusuf, described International Women’s Day as an important platform for creating awareness and empowering women to understand their rights in all aspects of life, especially health-related issues.
According to her, the decision to organize the programme in Durum Village was to ensure that women in rural communities feel included and empowered to become self-reliant.
She encouraged women to contribute to reducing child mortality by attending all recommended antenatal care (ANC) visits and ensuring their children receive routine immunization.
In her remarks, the representative of the Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs. Habiba Adamu, urged women to prioritize delivering their babies in healthcare facilities to ensure safe childbirth.
She also noted that the Bauchi State Government has enacted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law to protect women from all forms of violence across the state.
Mrs. Adamu advised women to report cases of violence or abuse to referral centres at the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, or the Ministry of Health.
The Village Head of Durum, Alhaji Nasiru Musa, said the community has taken significant steps to enlighten residents about women’s rights and the fight against violence.
He called on parents to discourage street hawking among children and instead enroll them in school to secure a brighter future.
The traditional ruler described women as role models in any developed society and urged them to regularly visit health facilities for check-ups, attend antenatal care, and deliver in hospitals.
He also warned that cases of child abuse and gender-based violence would not be tolerated in the community and encouraged women to recognize and harness their full potential.
Speaking from the legal perspective, Barrister Halima Yusuf, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and children, particularly in cases involving gender-based violence.
She expressed concern over the tendency of some parents to conceal cases of rape or abuse and urged women to speak out whenever such incidents occur.
From the health sector, the Officer-in-Charge of the Durum Health Facility, Abdulrashid Bashir Almustapha, encouraged women to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene.
He explained that many diseases spread due to poor sanitation and stressed the importance of antenatal care and delivering babies at healthcare facilities.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Durum, Malam Adamu Yakubu, said Islam guarantees women’s rights, including access to healthcare and participation in business activities.
He cited the example of the Prophet Muhammad’s first wife, Khadija, who was a successful businesswoman.
On menstrual hygiene, a health worker at the Durum Health Facility, Hajiya Layuza Mahmud Hassan, advised parents to build open relationships with their adolescent daughters and educate them about menstruation and personal hygiene.
She warned that neglecting such guidance could expose young girls to health complications later in life.
Similarly, the representative of the Christian community in Durum, Mrs. Regina Kelvin Kopji, said Christianity also supports women’s rights to engage in business and access proper healthcare.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Hajara Ahmed from Durum expressed appreciation to NAWOJ and its partners for enlightening women in the community about their health rights.
She said the awareness programme would help women make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
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