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Speak Wednesday

Rape Culture

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines rape as any unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat of injury against a person’s will or with a person who is beneath a certain age or incapable of valid consent because of mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception. Rape was long considered to be caused by unbridled sexual desire, but it is now understood as a pathological assertion of power over a victim. Culture on the other hand has been defined by The Centre for Advanced Research and Language Acquisition (CARLA) as shared patterns of behaviors and interactions, cognitive constructs and understanding that are learned by socialization.

Rape culture can thus be defined as an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture (WGC, 2019). Behaviors associated with rape culture commonly include victim blaming, slut-shaming, sexual objectification, trivializing rape, denial of widespread rape, refusing to acknowledge the combination of these, etc. Rape culture pressures women to sacrifice their dignity, freedoms and opportunities in order to stay safe, because it puts the burden of safety on women’s shoulders, and blames them when they don’t succeed. According to the “Release of the findings of the Nigeria Violence Against Children Survey” by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria, one in four girls and one in ten boys in Nigeria had experienced sexual violence before the age of 18 and over 31.4 percent of girls said that their first sexual encounter had been rape or forced sex of some kind as reported by Positive Action for Treatment Access.

This goes without saying that indeed there is a rape culture in Nigeria, a society where victims of rape are blamed and shamed and the perpetrators are not punished, a society that blames the woman for her partner’s infidelity, where we think it is okay for a husband to forcefully have sex with his wife because there is a believe that she has no right to consensual sex. Yes, the prevalence of rape culture in Nigeria is high and it is time we did away with this system that espouses the idea of women as possessions or objects and develop instead a society that sees the woman as a human with rights, consents and abilities.

The Women’s & Gender Centre outlines several ways in which Rape Culture can be combated. These include but are not limited to:

· Avoid using language that objectifies or degrades women.

· Speak out if you hear someone else making an offensive joke or trivializing rape

· If a friend says she has been raped, take her seriously and be supportive.

· Think critically about the media’s messages about women, men, relationships, and violence.

· Be respectful of others’ physical space even in casual situations.

The issue of rape culture cannot be fixed in one day. However, advocacy campaigns have brought attention to the problems fueling rape culture and have helped women to come together in opposition to it. Because rape culture also derives some of its power from unconscious biases and hidden assumptions, simply drawing attention to it is a step towards changing it.

Yet the Government on its own hand can do much more in this fight against violence on women and girls by amongst others creating stricter laws and punishments for perpetrators of gender based violence especially Rape, by enforcing the implementation of certain laws like the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act in all states of the nation and by providing fundings to support provision of services for victims of violence.

CFHI since inception has been at the forefront in the fight against violence against women and girls, through funded projects, street/online campaigns, annual activitism called up by recognised international bodies, etc. Recently CFHI being a member of the International Network to End Violence Against Women and Girls (INEVAWG) whose vision is to create a world where all women and girls live without violence and enjoy equality, autonomy, freedom, and justice hosted a National Consultation on violence against women and girls funded by INEVAWG. It had in attendance major key actors ranging from the legislative & judiciary arms of government, CSOs, female vanguard groups all over the country and beyond to share relevant and current information about VAWG, propose solutions and develop action plans to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) to address issues of gender based violence and gender bias. Join us every Wednesday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

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Monday Health Burst

Uncategorized / cfhinitiative

Malaria- Zero Malaria Starts With Me

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles Mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable. The World Health Organization. (WHO) estimates that there were as many as 229million cases of malaria worldwide in 2019, with deaths standing at an estimated 409,000. In the same year under study, nearly half the world’s population was at risk of malaria, with most recorded cases and deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.

April 25 every year is an international recognized day set aside to commemorate World Malaria Day. The day aimed to bring global attention to the efforts being made to bring an end to malaria and encourage action to reduce suffering and death from the disease. This year’s theme is “Reaching the Zero Malaria Target”. Since 2000, the world has made historic progress against malaria, saving millions of lives. However, half the world still lives at risk from this preventable, treatable disease, which costs a child’s live every two minutes. In 2015, Centre for Disease Control (CDC), the Nigeria National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Program (NFELTP), and the National Stop Transmission of Polio (NSTOP) program initiated the NSTOP\Malaria Frontline project to improve the effectiveness of malaria control in Nigeria by strengthening the technical capacity of Nigeria’s public health system to reduce malaria, as well as improving the tools and policies used to prevent, detect, and respond to epidemics and other endemic high-impact diseases.

Over the past year, the Malaria Frontline Project provided training, on-site mentorship, and technical support to local government health officials across Kano and Zamfara State. This project allows the monitoring of the stocks of malaria prevention and treatment supplies and trends in local illness cases diagnosed and treated in each of the health facilities. This enables the use of data to spot early trends and target emergency supplies and outreach efforts at the time and place where they will do the best. This effort to collect and utilize malaria data locally is part of a needed reset for malaria programs in densely populated, high-burden places like rural Nigeria.

The major objective of most current National Malaria Control Programs and most malaria activities is to reduce the number of malaria-related cases and deaths. The African Union Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030 has set ambitious targets for eliminating malaria by 2030. However, there is only as much the government can do which is why tackling the menace is now approached from the individual level. Numerous studies have outlined measures to effectively prevent the spread of malaria, some of which include:

· Mosquito Control: This is a vital component of malaria control strategy, which involves limiting or eliminating the breeding of mosquitoes. Stagnant water which is one of the major breeding habitats for mosquitoes must be prevented. By preventing the water logging, destroying unwanted water collections and keeping the water containers closed, sources of egg laying can be denied and breeding of mosquitoes prevented.

· Use of Insecticides: Insecticides or larvicides can be used both on breeding grounds and in enclosed dwelling spaces to kill both the developing larvae and the adult mosquitoes to prevent growth and inevitable bites.

· Make sure the windows and doors of your room are covered with a screen/mesh. Make sure the mesh has no holes through which mosquitoes can enter.

· Keep room fully air conditioned or fans switched on. The circulating air seems to deter mosquitoes to an extent.

· Antimalarial drugs: Antimalarial medicines can also be used to prevent malaria. For travelers, malaria can be prevented through chemoprophylaxis, which suppresses the blood stage of malaria infections, thereby preventing the malaria disease.

The total elimination of malaria is a collective effort with the dividends quite substantial. However, this process starts with the individual efforts of everyone!

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Protecting Well-being: Vaccination

Uncategorized / cfhinitiative

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations throughout one’s life to protect them against many infectious diseases. When vaccines are skipped, one is left vulnerable to illnesses such as shingles, pneumococcal disease, flu, and human papilloma virus (HPV) and hepatitis B, both leading causes of cancer.

What exactly is vaccination? According to Wikipedia, Vaccination is the administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop protection from disease. Vaccines contain a microorganism or virus in a weakened, live or killed state, or proteins or toxins from the organism. They work with your body’s natural defenses to build protection.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Each year, vaccines prevent 2 to 3 million deaths every year. An additional 1.5 million deaths could be avoided, however, if global vaccination with a vaccine for the purpose of inducing immunity coverage improves.“

Getting vaccinated is important for at least two reasons: to protect oneself and those around you. Currently, vaccines are the best ways we have to prevent infectious disease, these diseases can result in severe complications and sometimes death. Vaccination has been one of our most successful tools for protecting the public’s health. If one vaccinates, they contribute to wiping out diseases that could spread now and into the future.

The United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF) states that, if all children were vaccinated with the existing vaccines, at least 25 million lives could be saved. Children who get vaccinated are protected from serious illness and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases which most often include: paralysis of limbs, hearing loss, convulsions, amputation of an arm or leg, brain damage, and death.

Thanks to the emergence of vaccines, diseases could have been imported and quickly spread through a population, leading to epidemics. According to WHO, between 2000 and 2017, vaccination reduced global deaths from measles, a contagious viral disease marked by fever, the eruption of red circular spots on the skin that can be deadly to young and weakened individuals by 80% worldwide (preventing an estimated 21.1 million deaths). Vaccines have led to large reductions in illness and death—for both the young and old alike.

Recently, the world was brought to its knees with a global pandemic, Corona Virus that killed over 3,035,109 (according to Worldometers.info) globally. To reduce this death toll rate, vaccines have been developed by scientists. These vaccines are critical in combating against COVID 19; it is really encouraging to see so many vaccines proving successful. On the 2^nd of March 2021, Nigeria received nearly 4 million doses of the COVID 19 vaccine. The arrival of the vaccine marked a historic step towards the goal to secure an equitable distribution of COVID 19 globally. It is therefore imperative for everyone to get vaccinated to stop the spread of the virus and bring it to its end.

Getting vaccinated costs less than getting treated for the diseases that the vaccines protect you from. However, much work still needs to be done as indicated by WHO “far too many people around the world – including nearly 20 million infants each year – have insufficient access to vaccines”.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) to tackle issues of basic health concerns. Join us every Monday for more health-related articles on all our social media platforms

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Effects of Gender-Based Violence on Health

Uncategorized / cfhinitiative

According to the European Union, “Gender-based violence (GBV) is violence directed against a person because of that person’s gender or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately.” GBV is often perpetrated against women and girls and by far the most pervasive form of violence, yet the least acknowledged in society. It is regarded as a violation of human rights.

Gender-based violence is deeply rooted in discriminatory cultural beliefs and attitudes that perpetuate inequality. GBV can have devastating short- and long-term threatening consequences on victim’s physical, sexual and reproductive, and mental health as well as on their personal and social well-being. The health consequences of violence against women include injuries, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV, pelvic pain, urinary tract infections, fistula, genital injuries, pregnancy complications, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the limited ability to complete daily tasks, suicidal thoughts and chronic conditions.

The health impacts of GBV sometimes extend to future generations. According to Bahgam & Mukhatari, “Study on child marriage in Afghanistan” in 2004, the health of mothers is a major determining factor in the health of their children, which indirectly affects the formation of human capital. Mothers are normally the ones responsible for the health, nutrition and education of their children. A mother who does not have access to good health, nutrition and education is more likely to pass bad habits and poor general well-being onto her children. The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) reports that stunted growth in underfed girls increases the risks of obstructed labour later in life. Malnourished mothers and their babies are vulnerable to premature death and chronic disability. Even anaemia, which sometimes leads to postpartum haemorrhage, afflicts 50-70 per cent of pregnant women in developing countries.

The prevention and management of GBV require collaboration and coordination among members of the community and agencies. Adequate funding, adequate resources, reliable accountability systems, comprehensive and integrated approach in GBV programs would go a long way in abating the prevalence of GBV and its consequences.

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WOMEN AS AGENTS OF SOCIAL CHANGE

Speak Wednesday, Uncategorized / cfhinitiative

According to Wikipedia, Social change involves alteration of the social order of a society. It may include changes in social institutions, social behaviors or social relations.

Family is considered the first agent of socialization and women are seen as the primary caretakers of the young ones in the family. Women play an important role in facilitating or hindering changes in family life which affects the society inadvertently. Women are naturally the doctors, educators and caretakers within the family, and they become the glue that holds the family together and connects it to the larger community to address common needs and concerns. As women take up essential roles within the family, the roles naturally expand to the community, nation, and world, because they are raising the next generation of people who will become contributors to not just the family but the society at large.

There is a growing consensus that women’s equal rights and opportunity is linked to peace, prosperity, human development and democracy. How a country taps the talents and capacity of its women greatly determines its economic, social and political progress. Women in most societies, whether developed or developing are regarded as currency with which political and economic alliances are established.

In Nigeria, women have made some remarkable impact in contributing to the development of the nation. Such as the late Mrs. Margaret Ekpo, Prof. Dora Akunyili, Mrs. Janet Mokelu, Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Hajia and Mrs. Maryam Babangida. There is also able Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who in her capacity as Finance Minister in Nigeria, instituted various reforms in Nigeria, thereby making the country one of the best economies in the world.

Truth is envisioning a world where girls and women are fully active agents of change means planning a change for the better.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Speak Wednesday / cfhinitiative

THE IMPORTANCE OF FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR WOMEN

Have you ever heard of the term “financial abuse” and that the National Network to End Domestic Violence noted that research shows this form of abuse occurs in 99% of physically abusive relationships where women are mostly the victims? Victims of domestic violence often say that financial abuse is the main reason they stayed with an abusive partner. This is because the financial burden placed on them made survival on their own seem impossible.

Financial abuse is one major consequence of financial illiteracy. Financial literacy is the ability to make informed judgements and effective decisions regarding the use and management of money. The pillars of financially literacy include: Budgeting, Saving, Investing, Understanding Credit /Managing Debt and paying bills.

Financial literacy for women is a critical aspect for them to reach their personal as well as professional objectives, without being dependent on anyone. It prepares them for crisis in the future as well as create a fallback for retirement. Being financially literate enables you to make smarter money management decisions that lead directly to a financially secure future, one that protects the assets built by you and your loved ones.

Financially-literate individuals do better at budgeting, saving money, controlling spending, participating in financial markets, planning for retirement and ultimately, successfully accumulating wealth. Research shows that there is a link between women’s financial status and other important aspects of household well-being, as a matter of fact, low financial status correlates with poorer physical, mental and emotional health outcomes for all household members and lower educational attainment of children.

Financial literate women are seen as assets to those around them rather than a liability. There is a great deal of respect that comes from a financially stable woman being able to hold her own irrespective of what the people around her are able to provide for her. Such women become role models and occupy prestigious places of respect in society. Their voices and opinions are valued and appreciated.

Individuals can engage in financial literacy in multiple ways, as follows: by reading up on financial issues, by taking up online or in-person financial literacy course, by Listening to Podcasts and Radio Shows or by talking to a financial professional.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

6 Comments / Anxiety Disorder, Health, Health Communication, Mental Health, Monday Health Burst / cfhinitiative

ANXIETY DISORDER – CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT

Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. However, when a person regularly feels disproportionate levels of anxiety, it might become a medical disorder. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one’s daily activities. The excessive anxiety can make you avoid work, school, and other social situations that might trigger or worsen the symptoms.

Anxiety disorders form a category of mental health diagnoses that lead to excessive nervousness, fear, apprehension and worry. These disorders alter how a person processes emotions and behave, also causing physical symptoms. Mild anxiety might be vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety may seriously affect day-to-day living.

The causes of anxiety disorders are not fully understood. Researchers are yet to know exactly what brings on anxiety disorders. A complex mix of things play a role in who does and does not get one. Life experiences such as traumatic events appear to trigger anxiety disorders in people who are already prone to anxiety. Inherited treats can also be a factor. Some causes of anxiety disorders are:

Genetics – Anxiety disorders can run in families.
Brain chemistry – Research suggests anxiety disorders may be linked to faulty circuits in the brain that control fear and emotions.
Environmental stress – This refers to stressful events you have seen or lived through. Life events often linked to anxiety disorders include childhood abuse and neglect, a death of a loved one, being attacked or witnessing violence.
Drug withdrawal or misuse – Certain drugs may be used to hide or decrease certain anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorder often goes hand in hand with alcohol and substance use.
Medical conditions – Some heart, lung, and thyroid conditions can cause symptoms similar to anxiety disorders or make anxiety symptoms worse. It is important to get a full physical exam to rule out other medical conditions when talking to your doctor about anxiety.

Anxiety disorders are characterized by a variety of symptoms. One of the most common is excessive and intrusive worrying that disrupts daily functioning, other signs include agitation, restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, tense muscles and trouble sleeping. Anxiety disorder can be debilitating, but they can be managed with proper help from a medical professional. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step.

Once one is diagnosed with anxiety disorder, it is important to explore treatment options with a doctor. For some people, medical treatment is not necessary. Lifestyle changes may be enough to cope with the symptoms. Treatment for anxiety disorder falls into two categories: psychotherapy and medication. Meeting with a therapist or psychologist can help learn tools to use and strategies to cope with anxiety when it occurs.

Medications typically used to treat anxiety disorder include antidepressants and sedatives. They work to balance brain chemistry, prevent episodes of anxiety, and ward off the most severe symptoms of the disorder.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concerns. Join us every Monday for more interesting episodes.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Female Roles in Nation Building, Gender, Gender Equality, Speak Wednesday, Women's Rights / cfhinitiative

THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Women empowerment refers to complete emancipation of women from socio-economic shackles of dependency and deprivations. Often made synonymous to gender equality, the term women empowerment encompasses a much larger set of principles that needs whole-hearted attention. Empowerment of women would mean encouraging women to be self-reliant, economically independent, have positive self-esteem, generate confidence to face any difficult situation and incite active participation in various socio-political development endeavours.

The growing conscience is to accept women as individuals capable of making rational and educated decisions about them as well as the society, increasing and improving the economic, political and legal strength of the women, to ensure equal right as men, achieve internationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, and improve the quality of life for their families and communities.

Women empowerment in its actuality is synonymous with complete development of the community. An educated woman, with knowledge about health, hygiene, cleanliness is capable of creating a better disease-free environment for her family. A self-employed woman is capable of contributing not only to her family’s finances, but also contributes towards the country’s economic development. A shared source of income is much more likely to uplift the quality of life than a single income household and more often than not helps the family come out of poverty trap.

Women aware of their legal rights are less likely to be victims of domestic violence or other forms of exploitations. Basic legal information about rights and knowledge on the different acts like the Matrimony act and Domestic Violence act, is vital for any woman to have, as this knowledge will empower them to be able to better handle such situations for themselves as well as those around them who might find themselves in such situation.

When women are living safe, fulfilled and productive lives, they can reach their full potential. Contributing their skills to the workforce and can raise happier and healthier children. A key part of this empowerment is through education, training, awareness raising, building self-confidence, expansion of choices, increased access to and control over resources, and actions to transform the structures and institutions that reinforce and perpetuate gender discrimination and inequality. These are important tools for empowering women and girls to claim their rights which leads to community/national development.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

Dementia, Health, Health Communication, Mental Health, Monday Health Burst / cfhinitiative

DEMENTIA – CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENT

Dementia, also called neurocognitive disorder, is a collective term used to describe various symptoms of cognitive decline. Dementia is not a single disease in itself, but a general term to describe the loss of cognitive functioning – thinking, remembering and reasoning and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. These functions include memory, language skills, visual perception, problem solving, self-management and the ability to focus and pay attention. Some people with dementia find it difficult to control their emotions, and their personalities may change.

Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities for living.

The causes of dementia can vary, depending on the types of brain changes that may be taking place. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer is characterized by “plaques” between the dying cells in the brain and “tangles” within the cells (both are due to protein abnormalities). The brain tissue in a person with Alzheimer’s has progressively fewer cells and connection and the total brain size shrink. Other causes of dementia include;

Vascular disorders. These conditions affect the blood circulation in the brain.
Traumatic brain injuries caused by car accidents, falls, concussions etc.
Infections of the central nervous system. These include meningitis, HIV
Long-time alcohol or drug use

Symptoms of dementia can vary greatly. Many conditions are progressive, which means that the signs of dementia start out slowly and gradually get worse. Possible symptoms of dementia compiled and published by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) include;

Recent memory loss- a sign of this might be asking the same question repeatedly
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Problems communicating – difficulty with language; forgetting simple words or using the wrong ones.
Disorientation
Problems with abstract thinking
Misplacing things
Mood changes

Treatment of dementia depends on its cause. In the case of most progressive dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, there is no cure and no treatment that slows or stops its progression. But there are drug treatments that may temporarily improve symptoms. The same medications used to treat Alzheimer’s are among the drugs sometimes prescribed to help with symptoms of other types of dementias. Non-drug therapies can also alleviate some symptoms of dementia.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concerns. Join us every Monday for more interesting episodes.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Gender Equality, Speak Wednesday, Women, Women in Leadership, Women's Rights / cfhinitiative

WOMEN’S RIGHT TO FULL AND EFFECTIVE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

According to provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa, and the National Gender Policy, women have the right to participate in political processes that affect them, their families, and societies. Countries like Rwanda, Cuba, Bolivia, and United Arab Emirates with increased women’s participation and leadership in civil societies and political parties tend to be more inclusive, responsive and democratic. Truth is, when women significantly participate in peace processes, they meaningfully help to expand the scope of agreements and improve the prospects for lasting peace.

Historically, Women around the world at every socio-political level find themselves under-represented in parliament and far removed from decision-making levels. Despite representing half the global population, women comprise less than 20 percent of the world’s legislators according to United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Women in Nigeria face many challenges and discriminatory practices under some existing laws and customs. Political life in Nigeria is based on male norms and values, and men determine the standards for political participation and the rules that govern the electoral process, greatly limiting women’s participation in politics. For example, intending female candidates for political offices are often disadvantaged, and even disqualified, by rules and cultural norms surrounding marriage and indigeneship. In some cases, parties actively exclude women from standing for office and most often than not, female political candidates are often subject to hate speech, threats or violence. Nevertheless, Women are known to be resilient family and society builders and are naturally imbued with salient and sterling leadership qualities. Over time in history, a few women who have been entrusted with leadership roles have more often than not proved that when given adequate backing, women can perform creditably – a case study of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Margaret Ekpo in managing human and material resources.

In conclusion, women’s full and effective political participation births gender equality, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. The active participation of women, on equal terms with men, at all levels of decision-making and political involvement provides a balance that more accurately reflects the composition of society and may as such enhance the legitimacy of political processes by making them more democratic and responsive to the concerns and perspectives of all segments of society. Research shows that as more women are elected to office, there is a corollary increase in policy making that emphasizes quality of life and reflects the priorities of families, women, ethnic and racial minorities.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias. Join us every Wednesday on all our social media platforms for more interesting episodes.

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