Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim has reaffirmed her Ministry’s commitment, towards advancing the rights and well-being of women across the country.
She made the commitment, at the celebrating Womanhood Arts Gala tagged: “Arts as a Catalyst For Improved Maternal Health” #HealthmeetsArt, organised by Nigeria Health Watch in Abuja.
The Minister, delivering a paper on the theme “Her Strength in Every Story: Creative Expressions for Women’s Health,” noted that the event speaks to the resilience of women and the crucial role that art plays in both advocacy and healing.
Represented by Princess Jummai Idonijie, the Minister said because arts do not just tell stories but compel action, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs would ensure that gender issues are prioritized across all sectors; through collaborations with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to integrate gender perspectives into policies and programmes for national development.
“A nation cannot truly progress when its women continue to face barriers to healthcare, economic exclusion, gender-based violence, and systemic discrimination. That is why we are prioritizing policies that reduce maternal mortality, expand access to reproductive healthcare, address mental health challenges, and tackle gender-based violence through stronger legal frameworks and survivor-centered policies.”
She further called for collective action and collaboration to successfully drive the process.
“We cannot achieve this alone. It requires collaboration; between government institutions, civil society, artists, the media, and advocates. Real change happens when all voices come together.”
While appealing for investment in women’s health, for a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria, Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that womens voices, should be employed as a tool for advocacy, to create a movement that cannot be ignored for empowerment.
“What we celebrate here tonight is not just the challenges that women face but the triumphs they achieve despite them. Beyond its power as an advocacy tool, art is also deeply healing.”
She further called for increased support and advocacy for women’s health and well-being; “Use your platforms; whether in government, business, media, or the arts; to amplify women’s voices and drive meaningful change,” she charged.
In her address, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, Mrs. Vivianne Ihekweazu, called for improved action to enhance maternal health in Nigeria.
Citing the country’s alarming Maternal Mortality Rate of over 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births, she highlighted the need for collective action to address this critical issue.
“This stark reality is a reminder of the work that remains to be done to ensure every woman has access to the care she needs to survive pregnancy and childbirth,” she emphasized.
Ihekweazu said the event underscored the power of artistic expression in advocating for better healthcare for women.
“Through the creative expressions we witness tonight, we explore how the strength of women, both past and present, continues to be a driving force in improving health outcomes, particularly maternal health, in our communities,” she added.
Nigeria Health Watch is a not-for-profit health communication and advocacy organization, advocating for better health for Nigerians, by actively engaging and supporting government in raising awareness and increasing knowledge, on a wide range of health issues in Nigeria.
The Celebrating Womanhood Art Gala with the theme, “Her Strength in Every Story: Creative Expressions for Women’s Health,” #HealthMeetsArts initiative aims to increase awareness of maternal health issues among key stakeholders, including those beyond the health sector and advocating for improved maternal health care using various forms of art.
It is also to serve as a catalytic advocacy platform to accelerate action for quality maternal healthcare delivery and creatively addressing inequities in maternal health access through diverse forms of art.
The event featured panel discussions and presentations of various forms of artisric expressions, portraying stories of Nigerian Women.
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