Violence Against Women and Girls

International Women’s Day 2026 Celebration in Adamawa State

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In commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, the Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) hosted a landmark community engagement at the residence of the Ward Development Chairman (WDC) in Rumde, Yola North LGA. The event was attended by high-level stakeholders, including the CFHI Project Coordinator, the Facility Manager of Rumde PHCC, and the Yola North Women Leader.

The activity was centered on the localized theme, “Lafiyar Iyali, Girman Namiji” (A healthy family is a man’s pride). This theme was strategically chosen to engage men as active partners in the domestic sphere. It reinforces the idea that a man’s true strength and dignity are reflected in the well-being of his wife and children. This local perspective is deeply connected to the 2026 United Nations IWD theme: “Rights, Justice, and Action.” While the UN focuses on the systemic justice and legal rights of women, the Rumde celebration translated these global goals into domestic action. By ensuring a woman’s right to health and safety is upheld within the home, the community is delivering “Justice” at the most fundamental level. A healthy home is the ultimate celebration of IWD, where a man’s role shifts from a mere provider to a protector of health and a champion of his family’s fundamental rights.

The gathering in Yola North was not merely a celebration but a blueprint for future interventions across the region. This meeting intended to spark a behavioural shift, emphasizing that community development is impossible without the active participation of men in women’s health issues. The goal of this dialogue is to foster a society where men take pride in escorting their wives to clinics and ensuring their daughters are educated and healthy.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honour the homes where equality and health reside, recognizing that when a woman thrives, the entire family and indeed the entire community prospers.

 

 

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CFHI Hosted Virtual Side Event During CSW70

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The Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) successfully hosted a virtual side event on March 12, 2026, during the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). The event, titled “Systems Approach to Tackling Structural Barriers Affecting Women and Girls,” served as a critical platform for advocates, policymakers, and community leaders to confront the systemic obstacles that continue to hinder gender equality and the rights of women and girls globally.

The centrepiece of the discussion was a rigorous analysis of these structural barriers, which was scrutinized and thoroughly discussed by our esteemed keynote speaker, Sarah Jane Brubaker PhD, Director, certificate in Gender violence intervention, professor of criminal justice and public policy (Virginia Commonwealth University). Her address was particularly timely and resonant, given the recent and concerning increase in gender-based harm and structural exclusion observed among women and girls worldwide, urging attendees to move beyond passive observation toward decisive action.

To provide a comprehensive global perspective, the webinar featured a diverse panel of experts from across the world, notable speakers included Krstyal Anyanwu, Sefakor G.M.A Komabu-Pomeyie, PhD, Gina Krais, Hajia Alima Sagito Saeed, Anita-Delight Danquah Esq. who provided localized insights into the African context. Their collective expertise highlighted how interconnected legal, economic, and social systems must be reformed to effectively protect women and girls.

The reach of the event was truly expansive, drawing a wide audience of over 100 active participants from across Africa and beyond, representing various spheres of life, including civil society, academia, government, and grassroots activism. This high level of engagement underscored a shared commitment to breaking down barriers and fostered a vibrant environment where participants from different backgrounds could unite under the common goal of advancing social justice and gender empowerment.

A highlight of the session was the dedicated Q&A segment, where the audience actively participated by posing insightful questions to the panel. This interactive portion allowed for a deeper exploration of the practical pathways for change, as attendees shared their own experiences and sought strategies to navigate the unique challenges faced in their respective communities. The dialogue demonstrated the power of collective wisdom in shaping future advocacy efforts.

We are proud to have facilitated this essential conversation and remain dedicated to the ongoing pursuit of an equitable future. You can watch the full recording of this impactful session and hear the complete contributions of our speakers on our official YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/O0b7g8bQxUs.

 

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CFHI Leads GBV Awareness Outreach at King Fahad Hospital to Mark 16 Days of Activism

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As part of activities commemorating the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) in collaboration with MonClub International conducted a targeted GBV awareness and sensitization outreach at King Fahad Hospital in Gusau, Zamfara State. The session which held during the facility’s Antenatal Clinic (ANC) day, formed part of CFHI’s intensified advocacy to reduce violence against women and girls and strengthen community-level prevention systems within maternal health settings.

More than 120 pregnant women and caregivers in attendance received comprehensive enlightenment on the various forms of GBV including domestic violence, emotional abuse, harmful traditional practices, and sexual abuse. Facilitators also emphasized key prevention approaches, early disclosure, available medical and psychosocial support systems, and safe channels for reporting cases. Questions raised by attendees were addressed to promote improved knowledge, confidence, and help-seeking behavior.

Stakeholders present at the outreach included CFHI and MonClub International staff, ANC matrons, facility health workers, and a UNICEF supervision team. During the sensitization, attendees were educated on the impact of gender-based violence on maternal health, emotional wellbeing, and household stability, and further enlightened on its wider social and economic repercussions. Their participation reinforced collaborative support for survivor-centered response mechanisms and validated the effectiveness of the outreach on facility-based clients.

Facility staff expressed appreciation, noting that GBV remains an underlying barrier to maternal health outcomes, and that continuous sensitization helps improve disclosure and access to services.

The outreach was successfully executed and well-received by both participants and the facility leadership, who commended CFHI’s timely engagement during the global campaign period. CFHI reaffirmed its commitment to advancing stronger advocacy, providing information, enhancing survivor referral pathways, and working with institutional partners to scale GBV prevention initiatives across Zamfara State

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16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM WEBINAR

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The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence serves as a crucial reminder that the fight for safety is no longer confined to the physical world. For today’s youth, the lines between online and offline spaces are virtually non-existent, making digital violence a terrifying, ever-present threat. From cyber-harassment and doxing to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, the consequences of this virtual aggression are acutely real, impacting mental health, educational opportunities, and future prospects. We cannot talk about empowering young people without addressing the toxicity that permeates the very platforms they use for connection and education.

This is why we need to move the discussion from just individual awareness to collective systemic change. The current approach often places the burden of protection entirely on the victim, telling them to ‘log off,’ ‘block,’ or ‘ignore.’ But the root of the problem is a culture of entitlement, misogyny, and power imbalance that thrives in the anonymity of the internet. Our upcoming webinar, is built on the belief that those who live this reality the youth themselves must lead the charge in defining the solutions. This is not another lecture; it is an active forum for sharing strategies, demanding accountability from platforms, and shaping policy.

To truly end digital violence, we must recognize that the actions taken online are merely reflections of the attitudes held offline. Building safer online communities requires us to simultaneously cultivate respectful, equitable relationships in our schools, homes, and public spaces. By bringing together young leaders, activists, tech experts, and policymakers, we will explore practical, multi-pronged strategies: from digital literacy that teaches consent and empathy, to legislative frameworks that hold abusers and enablers accountable. Our dialogue aims to forge a united front that ensures freedom of expression does not come at the cost of personal safety.

Your voice is the missing piece of this urgent conversation. Join us for this critical dialogue during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls to move beyond awareness and into action. Let’s co-create a future where every young person can navigate the digital world and the physical world with confidence, respect, and zero fear. Digital spaces must be the engines of opportunity, not the trenches of abuse. Register now to secure your spot and become part of the solution to end digital violence once and for all.

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CFHI Conducts First FGDs and KIIs Under the BIRTH Project in Adamawa and Zamfara

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As part of its Quarter 1 implementation activities, the Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) successfully conducted its first Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) in selected communities across Adamawa and Zamfara States under the BIRTH Project.

The engagements brought together pregnant women, nursing mothers, community leaders, and key stakeholders to better understand the realities surrounding maternal and newborn health at community and facility levels.

Why This Matter

FGDs and KIIs are critical in ensuring that interventions are community-driven and evidence-based. By listening directly to women and local stakeholders, CFHI is able to identify context-specific barriers, strengthen community ownership, and design responsive strategies that address real challenges.

Key Insights from the Engagements

Discussions across both states revealed:

  • Continued transportation and emergency referral gaps affecting timely access to health facilities
  • Persistent reliance on home births due to cost, accessibility, and trust factors
  • Nutrition misconceptions influencing maternal and infant feeding practices
  • Economic vulnerability limiting women’s ability to seek timely care
  • The need for stronger male involvement and improved health worker-community relationships

Community leaders and stakeholders emphasized the importance of structured emergency transport systems, improved facility readiness, and economic empowerment initiatives to support maternal and newborn health outcomes.

The findings from these Quarter 1 consultations will directly inform the next phase of the BIRTH Project. CFHI remains committed to strengthening health systems, promoting safe deliveries, enhancing nutrition awareness, and empowering women to improve maternal and newborn survival in Adamawa and Zamfara States.

By listening first, we are building interventions that truly respond to community needs ensuring safer pregnancies, healthier newborns, and stronger communities.

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