By Emmanuel Antswen
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has lauded mentor mothers for the roles they played in the reduction of HIV/AIDS transmission from mother to child in rural communities.
Dr John Ugboji, Senior Regional Manager overseeing Benue, Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom states, gave the commendation during the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration in Makurdi.
Ugboji said that AHF placed enormous value on women and girls in the society and added that most of their programmes were anchored around women, girls and children to better their lives.
The regional director said that the value of women and girls cannot be overemphasised.
He pointed out that the foundation would continue to prioritise issues of women and girls so as to give them a sense of belonging.
Mr Steve Aborisade, Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria, stressed the need for leaders at all levels to turn commitments into action to accelerate development.
Aborisade maintained that a just and equitable world would only be possible when women and girls could claim their full rights, power, and fulfill their potential.
“AHF Nigeria joins the global movement to demand an end to the inequities that hold women and girls back.
“We must support women and girls in our society to accelerate action by giving free education to girl children and empowering them through positive ventures.
“This is the only way to reduce HIV/AIDS and eradicate the scourge among them,” he said.
The representative of the State Ministry of Health, Dr Joy Obatomi, decried the neglect of women that made them look down on themselves.
Obatomi stated that there was a need for a change of attitude among women and other members of the society to accelerate action.
She assured that the State Ministry of Health would continue to strive to ensure that all women and girls have equal access to health care.
“We must give women the respect they deserve in society to accelerate progress. Women must stop stigmatising themselves to achieve success.”
She said that the state government would continue to partner with relevant organisations such as AHF to promote healthy living.
Mrs Magdalene Andor, Director of Women Affairs, State Ministry of Women Affairs, commended AHF for their various support in the state, especially their strategic approach to menstrual issues among women.
Andor explained that many women were being faced with menstrual poverty, gender-based violence and stigmatisation and commended AHF for their efforts in tackling them.
She added that in order to accelerate action and tackle the issue of gender-based violence against women, the state government has established a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) where survivors of such acts can be treated.
Andor enjoined women to stop looking down on themselves, saying that most men rely on them for ideas that make them take actions and stand out among their peers.
She encouraged people to always be ready to report any case of gender-based violence against them to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “Accelerate Action”, State Nursing Coordinator AHF, Ruth Atabo, said the theme was a worldwide call to acknowledge strategies, resources, and activities that positively impact women’s advancement.
Atabo said AHF celebrated and appreciated the work women do, especially mentor mothers, to implement innovative strategies to prevent the transmission of HIV, reduce stigma and discrimination, improve the quality of life of people living with HIV and eliminate mother-to-child transmission.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AHF equally advocated for action to empower women and girls in a bid to celebrate their achievements while promoting action to break down barriers to their health, equality, and opportunity. NAN
