Grom Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AHF has acknowledged the role of mentor mothers in reduction of transmission of HIV/AIDS from mother to child in our communities.
In this vein, AHF marked this year’s International Women’s Day, IWD with the theme, “Accelerate Action’ in Makurdi to empower and encourage the mentor mothers to continue in their responsibility in reduction of HIV/AIDS infection.
Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Steve Aborisade said the organization has a mandate to ensure that women are empowered by supporting them especially the burden that they carry.
Steve noted that women are disproportionally affected by culture and the economy, stressing that the society, organizations and individuals must strive to ensure that women are put on the same pedestal as men.
Said he, “one area AHF is focusing on is empowering women whom we call mentor mothers. These mentor mothers play important role in elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV. They are the ones that drive the process in our communities educating HIV infected mothers on how not to infect their children with the disease.
“We have been achieving success through these women. Imagine in a community you have 10 pregnant HIV women who have not transmitted them to their children, look at the impact this will have on the society at large. That is why we are focused on these mentor mothers by giving them all they need to function in their communities. This is the biggest way to accelerate action”.
Senior Régional Manager, AHF for Benue, Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom states Dr. John Ugboji pledged the commitment of the organization to continue to prioritize the well-being of women and children
A Director in the Ministry of Women Affairs Mrs. Magdalene Andor lauded AHF for addressing issues of hygiene in women, noting too that they are working in communities to reduce incidence of stigmatization, discrimination and gender inequality, resilience and determination by supporting women in the State.
Said she, “accelerating action means inclusion of women in all aspects of life particularly in education, healthcare and others”.
“As a ministry we have established a sexual Assault Response center where victims of rape and sexual assault are handled and justice is served”.
Esther Abba State Co-ordinator, Association of Women Living With HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, ASWHAN urged women to guard against the spread of the disease in the State and nation.
While Doom Deborah, Co-ordinator Girls Acts said they have been working with AHF in creating awareness through radio talk shows and advocacy in promoting health education and sexual acts.
