Workshop in A’Ibom focuses on evidence-based advocacy for Gender-Responsive Health Responses
By: Theresa Don, Uyo.
Right groups, under the auspices of Lawyers Alert, in collaboration with the Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria (MHR), have launched a two-day workshop aimed at strengthening advocacy for a gender-responsive response to HIV, TB, and malaria.
The event which was held from February 4 to February 5, 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, seeks to equip key stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs), healthcare providers, and policymakers, with the tools and strategies needed to address gender-related barriers to healthcare access.
In his keynote address at the opening ceremony, Hon. Moses Essien, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State House Committee on Health, disclosed the importance of crafting healthcare policies that were not only inclusive but also sensitive to the specific challenges faced by women, girls, and marginalized communities in accessing care for diseases like HIV, TB, and malaria.
Hon. Essien expressed his support for the workshop’s goals and underscored the need for policy reforms that ensure equitable access to treatment for all.
“HIV, TB, and malaria affect large segments of our population, but women and marginalized groups are disproportionately impacted, this workshop is an important step toward building a more responsive, inclusive health system that leaves no one behind, particularly those facing gender-specific healthcare barriers.” Hon. Essien said
Dr. Emabong Akpan, Programme Manager of the Akwa Ibom State Agency for the Control of AIDS (ASACA), also addressed the participants, calling for heightened advocacy efforts in the face of global shifts in funding priorities. He pointed out that Nigeria must take stronger ownership of its health response, especially after the U.S. reduced its HIV funding, urging CSOs to take action in advocating for sustainable, locally-driven solutions.
“We must look inward and strengthen our advocacy to ensure that these diseases are not only controlled but eradicated through policies that are both effective and gender-sensitive,” Dr. Akpan remarked. “Our ability to mobilize local resources and advocate for policy changes is key to sustaining progress.”
Olayemi Agoro, Director of Administration and Finance at Lawyers Alert, also spoke to the urgency of the advocacy efforts, referencing the unpredictable nature of global health funding and the need for proactive engagement at all levels of governance to safeguard the future of HIV, TB, and malaria programs in Nigeria.
“There’s no time to lose. If a single executive decision can alter the course of funding, we must be prepared for these challenges by strengthening our advocacy efforts now,” Agoro urged the audience.
In her speech, Peace Okeshola, Legal Advisor at Lawyers Alert, discussed the crucial role of advocacy in dismantling gender-based healthcare barriers. She pointed out that women and girls often face unique challenges in accessing treatment for HIV, TB, and malaria, largely due to systemic inequalities.
“By strategically engaging stakeholders and raising awareness of these barriers, we can advocate for policies that better support the needs of women and marginalized communities in healthcare,” Okeshola emphasized.
The workshop, supported by the Gender Equality Fund (GEF) also included expert-led discussions, strategy development sessions, and interactive activities, is designed to help CSOs build evidence-based advocacy skills that can drive policy changes at local, state, and national levels. It also serves as a platform for fostering dialogue between CSOs and policymakers, intending to shape healthcare policies that address the intersection of gender and disease prevention.
The participants are encouraged to continue their advocacy efforts with renewed passion and collaboration, working toward a health system that ensures no one is excluded from essential care based on gender.
