From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), with support from the French Embassy in Nigeria, has launched a nationwide health sector initiative as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The campaign, titled; “Unite! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls,” aims to enhance the knowledge, capacity, and responsiveness of health workers in identifying, managing, and supporting survivors of GBV across Nigeria.
Dr. Zainab Kwaru Muhammad-Idris, the National President of MWAN, signed the press release, highlighting that health workers are crucial in the fight against GBV and that informed action can save lives.
She urged all health professionals—doctors, nurses, midwives, and allied staff—to remain vigilant, informed, and compassionate in their daily practices, emphasizing that every survivor deserves dignity, confidentiality, and professional care.
“Gender-based violence remains a significant public health emergency in Nigeria, disproportionately affecting women and girls.
“Despite existing national guidelines, such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP, 2015) and the National Guidelines for Health Sector Response to GBV (FMoH, 2019), many healthcare facilities face challenges including inadequate knowledge, weak referral systems, and insufficient survivor-centered care.”
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