cfhinitiative

SPEAK WEDNESDAY – INEQUALITY IN THE NIGERIAN DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY

A true democratic society fosters respect for all citizens, equality, inclusiveness, freedom of speech, the right to make individual choices, and to live free of fear or discrimination, but in Nigeria, there had been a sustained poor representation and the gender imbalance of women in critical areas.

The Nigerian constitution, which is regarded as the grundnorm because of its overriding effect on all other laws provides for the right to freedom from discrimination ~ Section 42 CFRN, yet there are in existence few discriminatory Nigerian laws implemented against women in our alleged democratic society.

By way of illustration, a woman police officer (not applicable to men) cannot marry without seeking permission from the Commissioner of Police, and a woman who becomes pregnant shall be discharged from the force. ~ Section 124 Police Act. What’s more, Section 55 of the Penal Code allows husbands in some parts of Nigeria to “correct” their wives as long as it does not lead to grievous bodily harm.

It is also of great concern to note that citizenship is conferred on a foreign woman married to a citizen of Nigeria (man) but the same provision is not made for a foreign man married to a Nigerian woman. Section 26 CFRN.

Equally, the discrimination is well extended in leadership. premium times reported that in the House of Representatives, out of 360 members, only 18 are women (4.61%) while in the Senate, there are 8 women out of 109 members (7.34%). Premium Times 2022, Low Number of Women In Politics, Bane of Nigeria’s Development- Minister, accessed 14 September 20222, <https:/www.premiumtimesng,com/news/more-news/528219-low-number-of-women-in-politics-bane-of-nigerias-development-minister.html/> 

A number of women have spoken up on this issue. According to Njideka Harry, President and Chief Executive Officer of Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF), if Nigerian women had the same opportunities as men, they could drive up the GDP by $13.9 billion, while Tian Wei, CCTV News, is quoted to have said, “Any society that fails to harness the energy and creativity of its women is at a huge disadvantage in the modern world.”

The reasons that could be cited for the inequality in the Nigerian democratic society can be traced to the sexual stereotype of social roles, discriminatory traditions, and cultural prejudices.

It is pertinent to note that “if they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” according to Shirley Chrisholm, the First African-American woman elected to the US Congress.

 

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #DemocraticRights #Women’sRights #GenderStereotype #GenderBias #GenderInequality #cuturalnorms #democracy #BBN

 

 

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON GREENHOUSE EFFECT ON HUMAN HEALTH

Greenhouse effect is the process by which radiations from the sun are absorbed by the greenhouse gases and not reflected back into space. This insulates the surface of the earth and prevents it from freezing.

The greenhouse gases at normal level help the earth to maintain an ambient condition for our survival. However, the anthropogenic action by humans (burning of fossil fuels) has induced the amount of these greenhouse gases thereby resulting in greenhouse effect.

According to Naiyer et al., (2022), the greenhouse effect along with global warming have impacts that are adverse to humans. Short-term exposure impacts can be coped with by humans, but when it is a high long-term concentration exposure, the impact becomes detrimental.

The long-term exposure slowly affects multiple organs such as the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, immune system, digestive system and often the reproductive system.

Increasing the greenhouse effect gives rise to a runaway greenhouse effect which would increase the temperature of the earth to such an extent that no life will exist in the near future https://byjus.com/biology/greenhouse-effect-gases/.

Hence, the need to watch the rate at which fossil fuels are burnt and regular medical checkups for early detection of diseases resulting from exposure to Greenhouse Effects.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

#GreenhouseEffect #HumanHealth #Who  #MondayHealthBurst

 

                                                                         

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY ON IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN LITERACY

True, literacy rates have generally appreciated worldwide for both males and females. Still, males are on average more literate than females. In 2020, a little over 83 percent of women in the world were literate, however, about 90 percent of men were literate.

As opposed to the misconception associated with women literacy, Literate women in fact implies that they have the ability to process information that they receive and use it in the improvement of various aspects of their society such as nutrition, health and the education of other members of their households and their society by extension.

Statistics show that Literate women are more likely to send their children, especially their girls, to school. Women who acquire literacy become more resilient economically and are more likely to be involved in the social, political and cultural life of their society and country at large.
The United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking says that Women are most vulnerable to trafficking when they are undereducated and poor. Providing education to women to help them improve life skills is bound to significantly undermine this terrible industry.
When women are provided with equal rights and equal access to education, they go on to engage in economic as well as business activities. This increases the earning power and improves our chances of winning this war against poverty.
Women literacy improves Gross domestic product. Statistics show that when 10 percent more women attend school, GDP increases by three percent on average.
Educating a woman is more than educating an individual, it is educating the world.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #Women’sLiteracy #Women’sRights #GenderStereotype #GenderBias #GenderInequality

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

Endometrial cancer is a type of uterine cancer that affects the inner lining of the uterus.

As recorded by the World Cancer Research Fund International, endometrial cancer is the sixth most commonly occurring cancer in women and the fifteenth most common cancer overall, with four hundred and seventeen thousand new cases recorded in 2020.

Approximately 3 in 100 women will be diagnosed with uterine cancer at some point in their lives. More than 80 percent of people with uterine cancer survive for 5 years or longer after receiving the diagnosis according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

The symptoms of endometrial cancer include; vaginal bleeding after menopause, change in the length or heaviness of menstrual period, pelvic pain, and vaginal bleeding between periods or spotting.

Mayo clinic stated that doctors do not know the exact cause of endometrial cancer, but it occurs as a result of mutations in the DNA. This mutations lead to the growth of abnormal cells which unlike the healthy cells doesn’t die but accumulate to form tumor and later spread to other parts of the body.

Some of the factors known to increase the risk of having the cancer are; not bearing children, a late natural menopause ( after the age of 55), Tamoxifen- a hormone therapy, obesity, being tall, physical activity, and consumption of coffee (WCRI).

The treatment for endometrial cancer is majorly surgery to remove the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries depending on the cancer stage. Other treatment include radiation, hormone therapy and chemotherapy.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

#EndometrialCancer #UNFPA #WHO #NCI #MondayHealthBurst

 

                                                             

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WOMEN’S RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS

 

The phrase, “women’s rights are human rights” was used by the first lady of the United States, Hilary Rodham Clinton on September 5, 1995. This proves that the fight for the right of women from time immemorial is a global issue.

The right of women to live free from violence and discrimination; to be educated; to earn equal pay; to occupy political positions, the right to sexual and reproductive health, etc are not only women’s rights but human rights which are fundamental.

In Nigeria today, women still struggle in our patriarchal society infested with discriminatory practices and customs that devalues women. This is despite the fact that the Nigerian Government is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), an international treaty protecting the rights of women.

According to United Nations, half of the world’s population and potential are represented by women and girls. Therefore, gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but essential to achieving peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.

We can achieve a society free of discrimination if we all respect women’s rights. Thus, gender inequality is everyone’s problem.

Women are humans too.

Women’s rights are human rights

Human rights are women’s rights.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #Women’sRights #HumanRights #GenderStereotype #GenderBias #GenderInequality

 

 

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING IN CHILDREN

                                               

                                               

The impact of breast feeding on the growth of a child cannot be overstated. Breastfeeding is responsible for intimacy and bonding between mother and child. This intimacy and bond created during breastfeeding, can provide long lasting physical and psychological benefits. Research has shown that there is a connection between the breastfeeding experience of a child and the cognitive development later in life.

An assessment carried out by Bernard et al (2013), on the cognitive and motor development in 2 and 3 year old children showed that improved problem solving abilities in children were associated with prolonged duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Another study showed that there was a reduced risk of cognitive impairment among children when breastfed immediately after birth (Diepeveen et al., 2017).

According to WebMD, breastfeeding has a deep and lasting effect on the behaviour, mental health, thought and understanding in children. For instance, babies who are breastfed are likely to have stronger critical thinking and reasoning skills, better memory, early language ability, and enhanced motor skills.

Breastfeeding is encouraged to be practiced by every mother as its benefits extend to almost every area of a child’s growth, that is, physical, emotional, social and psychological growth.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

#Breastfeeding #UNFPA #WHO #ChildHealth #PsychologicalBenefitsofBreastfeeding #MondayHealthBurst

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WOMEN IN HUMANITARIAN LEADERSHIP

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), 40% of half a million humanitarian workers who provide frontline care during emergencies, wars, and disasters, are women. That is an estimated figure of 250,000 aid workers.

Despite this significant figure, there is still gender inequality between men and women in the humanitarian leadership sector, with the implication that women are still underrepresented in humanitarian leadership roles (Stiffman 2015, cited in Hill et al. 2016).

The demonstrated commitment and contribution of women in the humanitarian sector confirms that it is vital that government and stakeholders enable an inclusive environment for women to become leaders for the transformation of the humanitarian system and society at large.

Leadership equality, however, is not about only having the same number of men and women in top positions or in the top of the organizational structure, it is also about making sure that there is equal opportunity for both women and men to get there.

The lack of women in leadership has a great impact across sectors and countries. It impedes productivity and performance of workplaces and has individual and national health, socioeconomic, education, and political impacts. Therefore, it is expedient that more support and regard are given to women who labor on the front lines in the most conflicted and unsafe places in the world.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #WorldHumanitarianDay #WomenInHumanitarianSector #WomenLeaders #GenderStereotype #GenderBias #GenderInequality

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST ON BREASTFEEDING:A PROTECTIVE FACTOR FOR BREAST CANCER

                                                                  

Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer, especially if a woman breastfeeds for more than one year.

According to Amy Van Deusen, a large-scale analysis of nearly 150,000 women published in ‘The Lancelot’ in 2002 discovered that among women who breastfed, for every 12 months of breastfeeding (either with one child or spread over multiple children), the risk of breast cancer decreased by 4.3 percent compared to women who didn’t breastfeed at all.

Then a study published in 2014 by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women of African ancestry have a high risk of developing the aggressive and hard – to- treat forms of breast cancer called estrogen receptor-negative and triple-negative, and the risk actually goes up when a woman gives birth, but breastfeeding negates this risk.

There are several reasons why breastfeeding protects health;

*Producing milk 24/7 limits breast cells ability to malfunction.

*Most women have fewer menstrual cycles when they are breastfeeding (added to the 9 missed periods during pregnancy) resulting in lower estrogen levels.

*Many women tend to eat more nutritious foods and follow healthier lifestyles (limit smoking and alcohol use) while breastfeeding.

Women are therefore encouraged to breastfeed their children for up to 1 year at least especially if the family has a record of breast cancer.

Monday Health Burst is an initiative of CFHI to address issues of basic health concern. Join us every Monday on all our social media platforms for more episodes.

 

#Breastfeeding

#AprotectiveFactorforBreastCancer

#who #unfpa #MondayHealthBurst

 

                                                                             

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GENDER DIGITAL DIVIDE IMAGE

GENDER DIGITAL DIVIDE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

Digital divide according to Investopedia, encompasses the technical and financial ability to utilize available technology, along with access (or a lack of access) to the internet.

As observed in education and other areas of life, women and girls face a wide divide in the digital space which is significantly taking over the universe and economic opportunities with the world adjusting to the change. This indicates that gender disparity has also found its undeserving place in the digital world.

This wide gender gap in digital access, literacy and skills is caused by the social norms, gender roles and expectations of women in the household. This includes the negative stereotyping of women and girls in their career paths and the assumptions that boys and men do better in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields than girls.

The digital divide against women and girls will worsen gender discrimination and promote unequal access to employment opportunities for girls, which can lead to financial lack and poverty.

Government and stakeholders can work towards the inclusion of girls and women in the digital ecosystem and close the gap by ensuring that girls are educated and have access to ICT, improve gender-responsive systems and programs, and the like.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #Genderbias #GenderDigitalDivide

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Monday Health Burst on Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding

 

                                                                          

 In the past week, we discussed breastfeeding to a larger extent. We highlighted its physical, mental and health benefits to both mother and child.

Today, we will be sharing the economic benefits of breastfeeding as it affects individual, the community, and a Nation.

The economic benefits of breastfeeding include; lower net food cost to households, reduced expenditure on publicly subsidized formula and health care, and lower overall health care costs.

According to John Weimer, Economic Research Service(U.S. Department of Agriculture), in the US alone, an estimated minimum of $3.6 billion would be saved if breastfeeding were increased from current levels (64 percent in-hospital, 29 percent at 6 months) to those recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General (75 and 50 percent, respectively). Likely, this figure is an underestimation of the total savings because it represents cost savings from the treatment of only three childhood illnesses: Otitis media, Gastroenteritis, and Necrotizing enterocolitis.

The benefits of breastfeeding even on a large scale cannot be overly emphasized.

Therefore, exclusive breastfeeding should be encouraged by all.

#Breastfeeding #who #unfpa #unicef
#EducateandSupport
#BuildingBackBetter
#MondayHealthBurst

 

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