Journalists Want End To Violence Against Women

As part of events marking the 2021 International Women’s Day (IWD), the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) has called for an end to cultural stereotypes, biases and other forms of inequalities that prevent women and girls from accessing the full potentials of their sexual reproductive health rights in Nigeria.
A statement by the Network decried the incessant cases of sexual harassment, rape, abduction and other forms of assault on women and school girls, especially by bandits and insurgents in the Northern part of Nigeria, the enslaving of girls for child labour and  trafficking in the Southern part of the country.
Signed by , the President and Secretary of the Network,Yinka Shokunbi and Sekinat Lawal respectively, the statement described all forms of gender-based violence in the country as constant sources of harm and threats that continue to limit the potentials of girls and women in Nigeria.
While urging government at all levels and all stakeholders to do more to protect the sexual reproductive health rights of all Nigerians, especially women and girls, from predators, the Network also called for all States in the country to pass the VAPP Act, Child’s Right Act and give access to justice and equity in all forms of gender-based violations.
According to the statement, “already, there is evidence that pregnancies that are too early, too close, too late or too many carry extra hazards not only for the health of the woman but also for the child.
“Therefore, the availability and access to family planning services to all women in safe and secured environment at all times and not limited to access to choice of medical protection, will ensure women can protect themselves against unwanted pregnancies and achieve full potentials of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights at all times”, it stated.
The NRHJN further charged every proactive government to embrace the scaling up of family planning services as one of the maternal survival strategies.
“Although it is incontrovertible that family planning is a life saver for women and children, the current 17 per cent contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) is poor (2018 NDHS).
“Consequently, achieving the new goal to increase the modern contraceptive prevalent rate (mCPR) to 27 per cent as part of Nigeria’s family planning 2020 commitment, should be a priority”, the statement said.
The Network noted that the unmet need for contraception among married women within the ages of 15 to 49 years in the country, which  was put at 23.06 per cent in 2018 by the World Bank development indicators, is unacceptable.
Noting that women with unmet needs are those who are sexually active but not using any method of contraception and not wanting any more children or wanting to delay the next child,  the NRHJN calls for improved health budget and timely releases of the funds as well as spending for purposes meant, to pave the way for regular availability of family planning commodities and needed consumables.
The group also argues for inclusion of access to sexual reproductive health services such as the provision of ramps in all hospital buildings and facilities, as well as the provision of sign language in public places to facilitate inclusion and access to care for all.
The NRHJN also called for  gender equality and equity in all areas of human endeavour to promote the  realisation of women’s rights in various spheres, including education, health, poverty alleviation, political and economic empowerment.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo