On this year's International Women's Day, IWD, themed: "Choose To Challenge", the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN) has called for an end to the 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.
In a statement to mark the day, 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, and the enslaving of girls for child labour, as well as trafficking in the Southern part of the country.
The statement, signed by Yinka Shokunbi and Sekinal Lawal, the President and Secretary of the Network respectively, 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.
The Network urges 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, while ensuring that all the states in the country pass the VAPP Act, Child's Right Act and give access to justice and equity in all forms of gender-based violations.
"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, " the statement remarked.
Further, the NRHJN charged every pro-active 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."
According to the Network, the unmet need for contraception among married women ages 15 to 49 years in the country 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 report not wanting any more children or wanting to delay the next child, the NRHJN is seeking 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.
In addition, the NRHJN is seeking gender equality and equity in every facets of human endeavour, geared towards the realisation of women's rights in various areas including education, health, poverty alleviation, political and economic empowerment, among others.
"Women have a lot to contribute to the Nigerian society; women have the same brain that men have and with these, we believe that the Nigerian women could have the full benefits enjoyed by men in the country.
The group charged women to rise up to the situation and equip themselves appropriately and contribute their quota to country's development economically, socially and in all ramifications.
"Women in positions need to assist others to change their orientation particularly in the way they bring up male children. Women need to bring up male children in a way that they are responsible and see female as co-partners. The society needs to stop the idea of preferring the male child to the female.
"Nigerian women and girls deserve safe spaces to be able to build a virile nation and attain their potential heights as their counterparts all over the world.
"As media advocates, it is our belief that an equal world is an enabled world. Hence, all hands must be on deck to challenge all forms of violence against women and children as we celebrate the 2021 International Women's Day."
