The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigerian leaders, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and community leaders to intensify efforts in the fight against child abuse and violations of women’s rights.
Speaking on Tuesday in Yola during the celebration of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD), the Chief of the UNICEF Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nazhat Rafique, said this year’s theme, “Rights, Justice, and Action for All Women and Girls,” reminds stakeholders that achieving gender equality requires more than awareness.
“It requires concrete action to protect the health, dignity, and rights of women and girls,” she said.
Rafique commended the Adamawa State Government under the leadership of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for domesticating the Child Protection Rights Bill into law.
“The Adamawa State Government is dynamic and visionary in leadership; it takes decisions that promote humanity and justice,” she stated.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Maisaratu Bakari, a dietician consultant at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital, Yola, blamed cultural values, lack of skilled health workers, and poverty for the high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
“Across communities in Adamawa State and Nigeria, women face several barriers during pregnancy and childbirth. One major challenge is limited access to skilled maternal healthcare.
“Many women live far from health facilities, particularly in rural areas, and transportation can be difficult, especially at night or during the rainy season. As a result, some women deliver at home without skilled birth attendants.
“In many parts of the country, only about 40–45 per cent of births are attended by skilled health personnel,” she said.
Bakari further identified financial constraints as another major barrier.
“The cost of antenatal care, delivery services, medications, and emergency treatment can be overwhelming for many families. Even when services are available, some women delay seeking care due to financial challenges,” she added.
She noted that social and cultural factors also influence healthcare decisions.
“In some communities, women may need permission from their husbands or family members before seeking care, which can delay treatment during emergencies,” she said.
Bakari explained that one of the most critical areas where women’s rights must be protected is maternal health.
“Safe pregnancy and childbirth are rights, not privileges; they are fundamental human rights. Every woman, whether she lives in a rural village or an urban centre, deserves access to quality maternal healthcare,” she said.
She lamented that Nigeria continues to bear one of the highest maternal mortality burdens in the world.
“The maternal mortality ratio is estimated at about 993 deaths per 100,000 live births. In 2023 alone, between 57,000 and 75,000 Nigerian women died from pregnancy-related causes, meaning that nearly one out of every four maternal deaths globally occurs in Nigeria,” she said.
Bakari added that pregnancy and childbirth should be moments of joy and hope.
“However, for many women in our communities, they are still associated with fear, uncertainty, and sometimes tragedy. This reminds us that maternal health is not only a health issue but also a matter of rights and justice,” she said.
She further noted that beyond maternal health challenges, many girls continue to face harmful cultural and social practices that threaten their health and future.
“Harmful practices are traditions or social norms that negatively affect the health and rights of women and girls,” she explained.
“Another major issue is child marriage, where girls are married before the age of 18. Globally, about 12 million girls are married every year before adulthood.
“Child marriage often results in school dropout, early pregnancy, and increased risk of domestic violence,” she said.
She added that early pregnancy poses significant health risks.
“Adolescent girls are more likely to experience complications such as obstructed labour, pre-eclampsia, obstetric fistula, and maternal death. Their babies also face higher risks of premature birth and other health complications,” she said.
