Gender – Page 8 – Centre for Family Health Initiative

SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Speak Wednesday, Suicide Prevention, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

WOMEN DEALING WITH SUICIDE

Wikipedia defines suicide as the act of intentionally causing one’s own death. Suicide is a public health problem, and it is seen as a public health priority by the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO, Suicide is the result of an act deliberately initiated and performed by a person in the full knowledge or expectation of its fatal outcome. Close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year and it is considered the third leading cause of death in 15-19-year old.

Studies show that women make more suicide attempts than men, but men are more likely to die in the attempts than women. In Nigeria, most people do not believe depression is an illness, neither do they know the extent to which it affects the mind. Yet, between January and June 2019 alone, there were 42 reported cases of suicide that occurred in different parts of the country. An example is the story of Hikmat Gbadamosi, a 100-level student of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. She was alleged to have consumed two bottles of insecticide (Sniper) after showing signs of depression and had opted to live away from her colleagues in the school.

According to Centre for suicide prevention, identified risk factor for suicide attempts and other suicidal behaviours in women include postpartum depression (PPD) affects around 15% of women and is experienced after giving birth and for up to one year after, prenatal period (The time during pregnancy and the first year after the birth of a child)- most women who die during this period have an affective or anxiety-related disorder, domestic violence (women experience partner violence nine times more than men according to different research) which in turn leads to post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and childhood sexual abuse. Other risk factors may include family history of suicide, family conflict, broken homes, anti-social behaviour, and poor peer relationships.

Suicide prevention begins with recognizing the warning signs and taking steps to make sure it does not happen. Though most people contemplating suicide often believe they are helpless, it is necessary to ask for external assistance, mostly a physician who can help find the medication or therapy that is suitable for the person. It is also important to take away harmful tools from their reach and make sure they are never left alone.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative to stop the cycle of domestic violence by breaking the silence around gender-based violence and gender bias. Join us every Wednesday on all our social media handles for more episodes.

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Community Development, Gender, Health, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, International Day of Rural Women, Speak Wednesday, WHO, Women, World Food Day / cfhinitiative

WOMEN DEALING WITH POVERTY IN RURAL AREAS

It is true that a concise and universally accepted definition of poverty has proven elusive because it affects many aspects of human condition. However, different criteria have been used to conceptualize the term “poverty”. Most analysts regard poverty as a function of income levels insufficient for securing basic goods and services.

The 2019 Nigerian Living Standards Survey (NLSS) carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlights that 40 percent of the total population, or almost 83 million people, live below the country’s poverty line of 137,430 naira ($381.75) per year. The report also shows that 52.1% of rural dwellers in Nigeria are poor, while only 18.04% of urban dwellers are classified as poor. Also, according to data released by NBS, women ranked the highest when it comes to unemployment. The report shows that unemployment hits 12.2 million females as against 9.5 million men.

The fate of Nigerian women living in rural areas is highly appalling considering the patriarchal nature of the Nigerian society and how women are being marginalized in the labor force. The societal disadvantage and inequality they face because they are women shapes their experience of poverty differently from that of men, it increases their vulnerability, and makes it more challenging for them to climb out of poverty. Indeed, more than half of these rural women live below the nationally defined poverty line, lacking access to basic education, decent nutrition, adequate health and social services. They perform complex multiple roles as mothers, workers and managers of households, taking care of their husbands, children and members of their extended families. They perform the majority of the work in food processing and dominate the rural and urban informal sector activities. Yet an abysmal number of these women own their own farm lands, they have limited access than men to inputs, services, rural organization, agricultural credits, productive infrastructure and technologies to enhance their productivity and incomes.

Women in poor households bear a disproportionate share of the work and responsibility of feeding and caring for family members through unpaid household work. They bear an unequal burden of unpaid, unrecognized, unvalued domestic responsibilities and are overrepresented in informal and risky jobs. Women in poor rural households will often sacrifice their own health and nutrition, or the education of their daughters, by recruiting them to take care of siblings or share in other household tasks.

This lack of investment in the human capital of women propagates a brutal, intergenerational cycle of poverty and hardship that is partly responsible for the persistent nature of poverty. Policies and programs to alleviate poverty must, therefore, take account of gender inequality and gender differences to effectively address the needs and constraints of women. According to the United Nations Women, Women’s economic empowerment is central to realizing women’s rights and gender equality, boosting productivity, increasing economic diversification, and income equality in addition to other positive development outcomes. This economic empowerment could include paid care work (child care, home care, seniors/disabled/palliative care), non-exclusion from inheritance and property ownership, girl child education and scholarships, adult education and scholarships for mothers, continued education during teenage pregnancy, provision of grants, and many more.

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DISRUPTING PATRIARCHY, Gender, Health, Health Communication, Mental Health, Speak Wednesday, WHO, Women, Women in Leadership / cfhinitiative

DISRUPTING PATRIARCHY

According to Wikipedia, Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property. Some patriarchal societies are also patrilineal, meaning that property and title are inherited by the males only.

Patriarchy influences different areas of the society including culture, family, school, the workplace and relationships. Its presence can translate to inequality and gender-based violence. The idea of patriarchy is not peculiar to a specific group of people, but one that extends and supersedes all borders, socioeconomic class, race, and more.

In Nigeria, it is observed by different researchers including European Scientific Institute that . Hence, there is the commonality of general belief system that the best place for women is in the ‘Kitchen’. This trend has brought about tremendous misrepresentation of women right at the level of the family down to the circular society. Women are therefore discriminated upon from, in most cases, acquiring formal education, accessing proper health care, receiving equal pay, among others.

In so many parts of the world, women are forbidden to own landed properties or inherit any. In cases where the diseased did not have male children, his properties are distributed amongst his male relatives, excluding his widow and daughters who are left to fend for themselves. In these societies, women who are financially stable have to buy properties in the name of their fathers or other male relatives. All these expose women to violence before they are born until they are aged.

Zig Ziglar once said, the first step to finding a solution is to recognize there is a problem. Because of how ingrained patriarchy is in the society, it may be difficult to identify. However, if patriarchy can be learnt, it can be unlearnt. Together we can achieve a society with equal opportunities for all human irrespective of the gender differences.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative to stop the cycle of domestic violence by breaking the silence around gender based violence and gender bias. Join us every Wednesday on all our social media handles for more episodes.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Gender, Health, Politics, WHO, Women, Women in Leadership / cfhinitiative

FEMALE ROLES IN POLICY MAKING

Policies are deliberate systems enacted by those in positions of authority to define the rules, standards, regulations, and procedures that affect almost every aspect of human life such as education, health, agriculture, migration, aviation, finance, defence, environment, trade, justice, transportation, science and technology.

Valentina Tereshkova quotes, a bird cannot fly with one wing only. Human space flight cannot develop any further without the active participation of women. Yet, for several decades, the society encouraged male dominance and totally excluded women from occupying positions that influence key decision making processes. Forgetting that making policies without the contribution of women may not adequately reflect the needs and preferences of women, youths, and children.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian-born economist and international development expert who during her tenor as the Minister of Finance for Nigeria, helped the country’s economy grow an average of 6% (per annum) over three years. She is credited with developing reform programs that helped improve governmental transparency and stabilizing the economy. Another example is Angela Merkel, who transformed German politics since being voted into office in 2005. Her numerous achievements at home and abroad have seen her top Forbes’ most powerful women list eight times.

A Member of Parliament in Rwanda, Thacienne Dusabeyezu once said, “The more women in the parliament, the better it is for children”. This is because women are generally more attached to children than men and they understand the needs of children. Hence, are more likely to enact child-friendly policies.

The role of women in policy making and implementation is essential in every society to help advance gender equality. Most women elected to be in the parliament will place women concerns and rights at the forefront of their agendas, suggesting policies that would promote women and speaking against policies that abuse women rights and deter their development.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York said that to fix the gridlock in Congress, more women should be involved. This is because women are more focused on finding common ground and collaborating. Women are characterized by tenderness, love, care, creativity, innovation, reliability, and if more women are key decision makers, perhaps organizations could respond effectively to challenges before the challenges are escalated to bigger problems.

It is inappropriate to ignore the intellectual capital resource of over half the population of the world. To address global injustice and advocate for compassionate policies, both men and women must recognize the value of a balance in government. Women should not simply emulate the male role model, but should bring their own principles to every negotiating table.

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Community Development, Gender, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

FEMALE ROLES IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

According to Paul O’Neill, a good community is a cohesive, safe, confident, prosperous and happy place. A place that values and promotes open, participative development processes underpinned by a continuous culture of trans-generational learning. It is somewhere that people wish to stay in and see future generations grow up in.

Community development is almost impossible without the role of women both at the family level and in the society. Women are said to be the first teachers in the lives of every child, and whatever is embedded in the child springs forth to determine if the child will be responsible and patriotic citizen or otherwise.

As the society moves closer to gender equality, women are working to build a more substantial presence in the traditionally male-dominated industries. Women have grown from being relegated to the kitchen or bedroom, to taking up jobs that are supposedly designed for men. United Nations Women opined that not only has this contributed greatly to the economic growth of the community but has created a niche for future generations to strife. Some of these women are entrepreneurs, employing male and females alike.

Late Ameyo Stella Adadevoh is a Nigerian physician credited for curbing the wider spread of the Ebola Virus in Nigeria by placing the patient, Patrick Sawyer in quarantine despite pressure from the Liberian government. Women who are frontline health workers are fighting the war to eradicate COVID-19, and others who are human right activists work passionately to protect the rights of people in communities and taking up positions to tackle issues that affect the masses.

The role of women in community development can never be overemphasized. Therefore, to increase the efficiency and productivity of women in the communities, women should be appreciated and encouraged to do more.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

Breast Care, Gender, Health, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV DURING BREASTFEEDING

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system and is spread through the blood and certain body fluids, including breast milk. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is the primary mode of HIV infection in infants. If neither the mother nor baby is on consistent HIV treatment, there is a high chance that the baby will be infected through breastfeeding.

Several factors can increase the risk of perinatal transmission. Having a high viral load implies that the white blood cells (CD4) which provides immunity to the body is low. A viral load indicates how much of the HIV is present in the body of an infected person. A high viral load may mean a recent HIV transmission, an untreated or uncontrolled HIV. Positive pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers with a CD4 count lower than 200 are at a greater risk of transmitting the virus to their infants.

HIV screening is essential during antenatal appointments at any health centre to ascertain the HIV status because the earlier the virus is detected the better the chances of living longer and enjoying a normal life. Test should also be repeated every three months and a Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) should be received if exposed to an infected blood within forty eight hours.

Accumulating evidence has also shown that giving antiretroviral medicines to the mother or the infant can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding. Antiretroviral prophylaxis should be made available to HIV infected mothers and mothers-to-be in all health settings and should be administered to HIV exposed infants immediately after birth. The duration for antiretroviral care and treatment for the infant is dependent on the mothers’ choice of feeding either exclusive breast feeding or replacement feeding. However, World Health Organisation recommends HIV infected mothers to only do exclusive breastfeeding except replacement feeding is acceptable, feasible, affordable, sustainable, and safe. Mixed feeding on the other hand is strongly discouraged as a breastfeeding option for reactive mothers.

All exposed infants should be tested for HIV at birth, at six (6) weeks and eighteen (18) months. This is done to monitor the HIV status of the newborn.

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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Gender, Politics, WHO, Women, Women in Leadership / cfhinitiative

GENDER ROLES IN LEADERSHIP

With the increasing interventions and awareness to promote equal rights and opportunities for boys and girls in Africa, more females are raising their voices against gender inequality. Women are now asserting their power as global ground breakers dominating fields and positions of leadership that were exclusively reserved for men. Women are seizing opportunities and attaining heights of success.

Around the world, women are leading countries. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has been the reigning queen since 1952. Africa is not left out. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the first elected female head of state in Africa. She served as the President of Liberia from 2006 to 2018. Catherine Samba-Panza served as interim President of the Central African Republic from 2014 to 2016. She was the first to hold that position in the country. Dame Virginia Ngozi Etiaba served as the governor of Anambra State, Nigeria, from 2006-2007.

Anyone irrespective of gender who possesses leadership skills and qualities can be a leader. Thus, men and women show distinct leadership traits and qualities. Many argue that women cannot withstand the challenges that come with leadership because their biological formation detests stress and pressure. Women are judged to be reserved and soft so they can be easily swayed. Well, these qualities are more of strengths than weaknesses. The soft nature of women makes them considerate leaders that listen to the plight of the masses and strive to protect the interest of the people they serve. This is a unique leadership quality called selflessness.

Compassion is an asset every leader must possess. A leader must be compassionate, deferential, submissive, self-effacing, and treat everyone with the same level of dignity. A compassionate and humble leader will learn from others and accept mistakes because he/she is not all knowing. Women are not just compassionate and humble, they are innovative, creative, and logical thinkers. Selecting leaders based on these attributes would definitely produce more female than male leaders. These attributes earn female leaders the collaboration and cooperation of the followers to advance for a better future.

Women led nations seem to be particularly successful in fighting COVID-19. New York Times reports that the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel has had fewer death rates than France, Italy and Spain. 34 year old Sanna Marin who is the Prime Minister of Finland with collaboration of 4 female led parties has had far lower deaths than nearby Sweden. Without a total national lock down, Tsai Ing-wen the female president of Taiwan has achieved one of the most successful efforts in the world at containing Corona Virus.

Women should be given more opportunities to occupy positions of leadership. Instead of criticizing the leadership abilities of women, men should be encouraged to embrace unique leadership traits of women leaders. The world will advance for the better when this is achieved.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative to stop the cycle of domestic violence by breaking the silence around gender-based violence. Join us every Wednesday on all our social media handles for more episodes.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

Breast Care, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Gender, Health, Viral Hepatitis, WHO, Women, World Breastfeeding Week / cfhinitiative

BREASTFEEDING WITH HEPATITIS B INFECTION

Hepatitis B is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV) which is transmitted by blood, semen or other body fluid from an infected person. A pregnant woman with hepatitis B can infect the fetus through the placenta especially in cases of preterm labour, depending on the mother’s viral load. At birth and during breastfeeding, infants may also be infected with the virus through contact with blood and body fluids.

According to World Health Organization, Breastfeeding has been suggested as an additional mechanism by which infants may acquire HBV infection, because small amounts of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) have been detected in some samples of breastmilk. This study also found no association between maternal e-antigen status and transmission rates. In other words, any risk of transmission associated with breastmilk is negligible compared to the high risk of exposure to maternal blood and body fluids at birth. This is because breast pathology such as cracked or bleeding nipples or lesions with serous exudates could expose the infant to infectious doses of HBV.

To avoid any form of HBV transmission from mother to child. Center for Disease Control (CDC) opined that all infants must receive hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth. The second dose of vaccine should be given at age 1–2 months, and the third dose at age 6 months. This includes infants born to HBV-infected mothers. The infant should be tested after completion of the vaccine series at age 9–12 months, to determine if the vaccine worked and that the infant is not infected with HBV through exposure to the mother’s blood during the birth process.

In conclusion, the risk of HBV mother-to-child transmission through breastfeeding is negligible if infants born to HBV-positive mothers receive the HBIG/HBV vaccine at birth. Hence, hepatitis B infected mothers can breastfeed the babies provided the necessary precautions are taken. There is no need to delay breastfeeding until the infant is fully immunized.

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SPEAK WEDNESDAY

Cultural practices in Africa, Gender, Health, Hygiene, WHO, Women / cfhinitiative

SPEAK WEDNESDAY – SEXISM

According to Wikipedia, Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on a person’s sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but it primarily affects women and girls. It has been linked to stereotypes and gender roles, and may include the belief that one sex or gender is intrinsically superior to another.

Sexism manifests in various forms and due to stigmatization from the society, women are forced to accept abuse and neglect. Some females are denied access to proper health care, good nutrition, education and legal rights which is an infringement on their basic human rights as humans. Child marriage, female genital mutilation and other traditional harmful practices, objectification, women trafficking, forced labour, and unequal school participation are other instruments of sexism.

It is pertinent to know that not just violence but other forms of sexism have devastating consequences. Some of these repercussions affect the physical and mental health of the individuals. Sexual transmitted infections, mental disorders, depression, anxiety, low birth weight and sometimes death of the fetus of teenage mothers, obstetric fistula, death of the victim, excessive bleeding, urinary tract infections, neuroses, hatred for any form of sexual relation and psychoses fall into this category.

Education is the key for women to achieve economic independence, yet, Unite Nations (UN) estimates that women make up more than two-third of the world’s 796 million illiterate people. If a nation must achieve sustainable success, education and proper sensitization is essential. According to a popular quote by African Proverb “If you educate a man, you educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you educate a nation”.

Proper sensitization with full participation of all genders should be encouraged to end gender stereotypes and harmful cultural practices that affect women and girls. The goal is to create a balanced system for everyone.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of Centre for Family Health Initiative to stop the cycle of domestic violence by breaking the silence around gender based violence. Join us every Wednesday on all our social media handles for more episodes.

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MONDAY HEALTH BURST

Breast Care, Gender, Health, Women, World Breastfeeding Week / cfhinitiative

MONDAY HEALTH BURST – BREAST CARE

Breasts come in different shapes and sizes. Most women have changes in the breasts at different times during their lifetime.

After delivery, the breast naturally produces milk for the newborn to feed and to avoid contaminating the food, breast care is a necessity. Hence, in today’s Monday Health Burst, simple tips that can help prevent issues like cracked nipples, inflammation and relieve discomfort from engorged breasts are discussed below.

Firstly, remember to practice good hygiene: Wash hands before breastfeeding, wash breasts during bath, avoid using soap on the breasts to prevent loss of natural oils and cracked skin over the area.
Support: Wear supportive braziers to keep from developing back ache, but not too tight to allow the breast air. Also, to prevent infection and inflammation of the breast, change braziers or brazier pads regularly.
Latch and release: As earlier noted in the previous article, a child needs to latch properly to the breast during breastfeeding to avoid injuries or pain on the mother’s nipples. Also, the removal of the child from breast or release of the breast is just as important to prevent infection and inflammation.
Moisturize: Moisturize the breast after breastfeeding with the breast milk on the nipples! This helps to prevent drying out and cracking of the skin over the nipple areas.
Swollen? Yes, this may occur during breastfeeding and can cause the breast to harden and the milk ducts to become blocked. A cold compress can help to relieve the pain or inflammation and a warm water breast bath (without soap) can help open up the ducts.

In conclusion, breastfeeding is from the breast and as such regular breast self-examinations is essential. This care can help identify earlier blocked ducts which may appear as lumps that go away with time. Breast lumps, cysts, mastitis and painful breasts can occur in many women. Hence, knowing what is normal, how to conduct a breast check and when to see a doctor is very important especially in cases where lumps persist.

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