Event Overview
In a two-day event held on the 15th and 16th of October, 2024, we held the official launch of the Law, Rights, and Community Empowerment for Social Change in TB, HIV, and Malaria Response project in Akwa-Ibom State. This project, funded by the Global Equality Fund (GEF) and implemented by Lawyers Alert and Media Health & Rights Initiative of Nigeria (MHR), aims to support gender equality and eliminate barriers to healthcare access for women and girls affected by TB, HIV, and malaria.
This launch event brought together key stakeholders to explore strategies that could improve gender-sensitive healthcare delivery.
Inauguration of the Akwa-Ibom State Gender and Human Rights Response Team
We started by celebrating the recent inauguration of the Akwa-Ibom State Gender and Human Rights Response Team. This team is essential for ensuring that gender equality is incorporated into healthcare policies, specifically addressing the challenges faced by women in accessing healthcare. The team’s mission is to advocate for robust policy reforms that tackle Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) barriers that prevent women from fully accessing healthcare services, especially in HIV and TB outreach efforts.
The event in Benue state included discussions on the state of TB, HIV, and Malaria interventions in the region, with emphasis on gaps like inadequate funding, reliance on donor-driven programs, and limited services in hard-to-reach areas. Legal and policy limitations, such as the lack of laws addressing TB and inadequate enforcement of existing gender-sensitive laws, were also highlighted. Participants held breakout sessions to brainstorm solutions, focusing on the need for better collaboration between local CSOs and the government. Also discussed were the gender-related barriers in healthcare, such as stigma, women’s low participation in decision-making, and their increased exposure to diseases due to caregiving roles. Participants proposed legal reforms, including anti-stigmatization laws for TB and stronger enforcement of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (VAPPL). The event concluded with a call to improve funding, capacity building for healthcare providers, and greater community involvement in decision-making processes.
The meeting underscored the importance of inclusive healthcare policies and continued advocacy to close gender gaps in the fight against TB, HIV, and Malaria.
Outcomes and Next Steps
The launch of the Law, Rights, and Community Empowerment for Social Change in TB, HIV, and Malaria Response project has set the stage for impactful advocacy and policy reforms in these states. By focusing on gender equality, community empowerment, and healthcare access, the project aims to transform the healthcare landscape for women and girls.
Next steps include:
-Continuing high-level advocacy for the adoption of gender-sensitive policies as regarding these diseases.
-Strengthening the capacity of women-led organizations to influence policy development in Akwa-Ibom and Benue state.
-Expanding community-led initiatives to address gender-based barriers in healthcare.
-Strengthen collaboration with CSOs and government bodies to implement community-level health interventions.
-Expand awareness campaigns to combat stigma and discrimination while promoting healthcare access for vulnerable populations.
Conclusion
The discussions and presentations during the event highlighted critical gaps in healthcare responses for TB, HIV, and malaria, particularly concerning gender inequality. However, the proposed solutions provide a clear roadmap for addressing these challenges. With continued advocacy, capacity-building, and policy reform, we aim to create a lasting and positive impact on the health and well-being of women and girls in Akwa Ibom and Benue state.