NAWOJ, UNICEF advocate women’s rights to healthcare, education in Bauchi
The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Bauchi State chapter, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has called for stronger protection and promotion of women’s rights to quality healthcare, education and justice.
The call was made during the celebration of the 2026 International Women’s Day held in Durum Village, Bauchi Local Government Area of the state.
The programme aimed to raise awareness among rural women about their rights, particularly access to quality healthcare services and protection from all forms of violence.Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of NAWOJ in Bauchi State,
Hajiya Rashida Yusuf, described International Women’s Day as an important platform for creating awareness and empowering women to understand their rights in all aspects of life, especially health-related issues.
According to her, the decision to organise the programme in Durum Village was to ensure that women in rural communities feel included and empowered to become self-reliant.
Yusuf encouraged women to contribute to reducing child mortality by attending healthcare facilities nearest to them and participating fully in all recommended antenatal care (ANC) visits.
She also urged mothers to ensure that children under five receive routine immunisation.
Also speaking, a representative of the Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development, Mrs Habiba Adamu, urged women to prioritise delivering their babies in healthcare facilities to ensure safe childbirth.
Adamu noted that the Bauchi State Government had enacted the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law to protect women from all forms of violence.
She advised women to report cases of violence or abuse to referral centres at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development for appropriate action.
From the legal perspective, Barrister Halima Yusuf, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to protecting the rights of women and children, particularly in cases involving gender-based violence.
She expressed concern over the tendency of some parents to conceal cases of rape or abuse and urged victims to speak out.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Durum Health Facility, Abdulrashid Bashir Almustapha, also stressed the importance of antenatal care, skilled birth attendance and good hygiene to prevent diseases linked to poor sanitation.
Another health worker advised women to maintain proper menstrual hygiene and to educate their female children on menstrual health at an early age.
