The Nation Newspaper

Category: Women in Action

  • DORIS OKORIE: The many influences in my movies career

    DORIS OKORIE: The many influences in my movies career

     Doris Okorie is a writer and Nollywood actress who has participated in movies and a number of series. During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, she took interest in the increasing rape trends , did a research and worked on a  production, she is so passionate about.

     

    HOW did you get into acting?

    My ex- boyfriend actually suggested that since I was so dramatic, that I should go for an audition. He actually helped me to find the audition, took me to the audition and even paid for my first pictures . That was how I started.

    Tell us about the experience at your first audition?

    My first audition was in Surulere, Lagos and it was okay. When I got there, there was a crowd and I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know that you were supposed to get there, write your name , have a picture or headshot. I didn’t know any of those things. My friend just dropped me off and I found my way basically. And then, I was told to wait behind after my audition. And waiting behind is like the next stage and that really encouraged me to go for more auditions.

    What are some of the memorable experience in the sector?

    There are a lot of memorable experiences. Recently, I just finished working on a project with Tomboy and it was awesome. Everybody on that set was awesome. I love the character, I really cannot wait for you guys  to see this one. It was actually quite amazing. Then I got to work with my idol, Nse and it was quite a memorable experience.

    Tell us about some of the movies you did recently?

    I just recently finished a project called, ‘The Wait’, You guys actually have to wait for this one. It is an amazing project. I also did a couple  of Series but the coronavirus is making things pretty slow. Of course, there are other things to come but COVID is just making everything difficult. Of course, my project called ‘The Wait’ by Tolu Turner is great inspiration for me.

    If you had to advise young people who would like to come into the sector, what would you tell them?

    I would tell them, don’t be too eager, know what you want and stand by the truth.

    Don’t let anyone try to sway you. Don’t let anyone try to cheat you. Know your rights, but you don’t have to be aggressive or rude when you are communicating your rights. It is also important to know your worth,  know why you are here. You must know why you want to be here because people join different sectors for the wrong reasons. So, know why you want to be here and share the problems. You can also reach out to the older people in the  industry. You have to know how to handle things as an adult basically.

    What are some of the changes that you will like to see in the sector?

    I would like to see better treatment to talents, better pay and like I said Royalties have to be implemented. That would be good for everyone. And of course, better stories. We have good stories but they could be better. Just better treatment of the people in the industry, whether behind the camera or in front of the camera.

    What is your assessment of the sector?

    The sector is okay. It could be much better and you hear stories of Sex for roles and stuffs like that. That has never happened to me.

    I am not saying it is not happening but like I said before, if there are proper labour structures, things would move smoothly. People would not owe you money for months. I know people who have been owing me money for two years, for one thing or the other.

    So, to assess the sector , I would say that it is not bad, and it is not good either. It is just in between. We are struggling basically but we can do better.

    What are the things that you won’t do in the name of fashion?

    Well, I won’t wear something that looks like underwear, and just walk around and say it is fashion.

    No! Even if I cannot define my style, I am quite chic. I won’t be seen to be wearing a see through , when my bra is blue and the outfit is something else. I wouldn’t be caught dressed like that.

    What would you consider as the turning point in your career?

    The turning point in my career is not here yet..This is because my aspirations are really high. I don’t agree that it is here but it is really coming.

    Who or what would you consider as the greatest influence in your career?

    The greatest influencer of my career is funny but it is Tchidi Chikere. I have watched his movies as a kid and that is how I know that this is an interesting career. Watching old movies, movies that I can’t even remember the names. But when you are watching stuff on satellite and you press information, you will see who the producer or director is on the screen at the end. And I took note of Tchidi Chiikere and that really drove me to say that this is interesting content and actors.

    And when he worked with Nse,it was just like magic to me. So, he influenced my career a great deal.His stories are so touching. And of course, Nse, watching her all through. Then of course, we have Emem Isong. I am not just the kind of actor who just watch actors. The person who produces, directs or puts together the story, all influence me and Tchidi Chikere, Emem Isong, Nse and of course, recently we have Kemi Adetiba, who is killing the game. We also have Mo’ Abudu finishing the game. So, this are people who have influenced me and are still influencing me.

    Tell us more about the people you admire in the sector?

    I love Nse, she inspires me and I got to work with her a couple of months ago. It was like a dream come true.  I admire that lady and I call her, the acting god. I was so inspired by her that my project in university was inspired by the movies she had done. I also admire Mercy Johnson and Genevieve Nnaji.

    What type of books do you like to read?

    I like to read all types of books. I have a library in my house and I was talking to my friend the other day about a book called Nectar. It was a ridiculous book. I first read it as a teenager but I didn’t understand it. So, I had to look for that book and I read it again.I studied English and majored in Literature. So, I have all the Chinua Achebe’s, Chima Amanda and all the books from Shakespeare. At the same time, I read novels. I read, a Female writer that I really like.

    She is an amazing writer. She has romance but it is mixed with essentials  of witchcraft. I love to write. I love to read..I haven’t read in a long time because of work..But I love to read, research and find new things.I also love to watch movies. I am a movies person and I can be in my house for a whole week. But there must be food sha. I am a screen writer and I just love everything creative basically.

    What is your definition of style?

    I really cannot pinpoint my personal style. It depends on the when, where and how I feel. If it evening, then I fix the look. Or if I want to step out casually, then I do just that.

    What inspires the things that you do?

    I wouldn’t say that there is anything in particular that inspires me. Things, people and situations all inspire me. For instance, a couple of months ago, I had written and produced a story on rape. This is because during the lockdown, the number of rape cases had risen. The rape news that we were getting were in a hundred folds and so I decided to do something. So, I would day that there is nothing in particular but a variety of things. It could be a situation, a person I had just seen or just how I feel. So, I really cannot pinpoint one thing that inspires me anything, a cough, sneeze and everything that happens around me inspires me.

    If you could change something in the industry with a magic wand ,what would it be?

    I would like to change the labour laws in the industry. We do not have a strong sector that guides actors, writers and producers. So, I will change the laws or at least set up proper labour laws for the industry. And of course, there is also the issue of royalties in the industry. It is quite sad. You shoot something and you get paid. They will tell you that it is not a big budget. But at the end of the day, it looks really good and they sell it off for millions of naira and you don’t get royalties for that. So, if there is anything I want changed in the industry, it is proper labour laws and royalties.

  • Needed: Specialised agencies for rape cases

    Needed: Specialised agencies for rape cases

    Rape might not end soon in Africa, nay Nigeria. But to curb it to the barest and ensure victims get justice, there have been calls for a different approach to tackling the menace. OYEBOLA OWOLABI reports.

     

    What assurance does the dead have of getting justice when even the living are left to lick their wounds?

    Uwavera Omozuwa, 22, a student of the University of Benin, Edo State; Barakat Bello,18, a student of the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), Federal College of Animal Health and Production in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and Azeezat Shomuyiwa ,29, an expectant mother of the University of Ibadan (UI), were all raped and killed between March and June.

    The list is endless and the heartache unending. Rape, it appears, has become a problem humanity has to contend with, as it has defied solutions.

    To change the narrative, however, there have been calls for the establishment of specialised agencies and departments, fully empowered, to handle rape cases. Non-governmental organisations, lawyers, and concerned citizens believe investigating rape cases require a high level of emotional intelligence to make the victim trust the process and also allow for non-biased investigation.

    “This can only be gotten from qualified personnel who work with specialised agencies or departments within our security outfits, not just anybody, and definitely not our policemen who know nothing about emotional intelligence,” says Ladipo Titiloye, a writer and blogger, who believes victims can get justice despite the patriarchal societal set up which emboldens the act and perpetrators.

    Titiloye, a father of two, also condemned the way rape cases are handled on the social media. He described it as the wrong approach to handling serious issues such as rape and domestic violence

    At a roundtable to discuss alternatives to the narrative, Titiloye and his 2011 alumni class of the Performing Arts Department, University of Ilorin, Kwara State, lamented that cultural narratives which portray women as objects to be owned by men, and thus subservient to men’s every desire, need to be redressed.

    Seun Oluyede, an entrepreneur and mother of one, lamented that most rape cases in Nigeria do not get heard in the court of law because of various reasons, which may include family pressure (where a relative is involved), but most times due to the inefficiency of security agents handling the case ‘who ask the most inappropriate questions which tend to invalidate the victim’s claim.’

    She said: “With the way our security agencies handle situations, I really don’t see any positive outcome for a rape case in Nigeria. It becomes more devastating when the victim is not highly connected or a celebrity.

    “Barakat’s uncle said the police were invited to the scene, took some pictures and took the body away. They later said the case isn’t in their case file. Her parents are illiterates who are probably not interested in or capable of handling police wahala. But isn’t the police responsible at all?

    “That is why I am happy that social media is providing a platform for people to speak out. It has become the only outlet for ladies to express themselves. That is the first way to heal. I believe it will get better with time.”

    Oluyede called for proper handling of rape cases where “investigations are tailored towards getting the rapist than proving the accused innocent.”

    Titiloye, however, said the social media has no help whatsoever to offer victims. According to him, it is important to let men and women know the right thing to do when they find themselves in such situation.

    He said: “The solution to any problem is not online. If it was, Muhammadu Buhari will not be president and Donald Trump will still be screaming on ‘The Apprentice’. Education really matters and it should start from the primary school. It is knowledge about laws and crimes that make people know what to do or not do.

    “In all these temporary reactions online, I am yet to see anyone educate us on what to do in the case of rape. It is always the news of who was and how it happened that is rife. The narrative playing out online is why the social media is so wrong for serious issues. If there is a problem, you find a solution to it. Education, technology, self-defence and counselling will definitely help.

    “However, in investigating rape cases, sentiment must be put aside. It is easy for us to be sentimental about the issue because it borders on the high side of emotional pain, but justice is not based on words of mouth – evidence, witnesses and corroboration matter. I know it is not easy and it does not mean rape cases will become easier to prosecute, but it is a good way to start seeking justice.

    “Also, scrutiny is not about degrading the victim; it is just the appropriate way to seek justice. But beyond it all, I believe that people need to be educated on what to do when raped. It goes a long way in easing the tortuous journey to justice. Believe me; I know how hard it is.”

    Tayo Akinwoleola, a sales representative and father of two, also corroborated Titiloye’s stand on the need for education.

    He said: “We need more education on how to handle rape cases. It’s a pity our law enforcement agents are not empowered to conduct proper investigations. So, most rape cases die natural deaths. These officers even contribute to ‘victim-shaming’ with their unprofessional questions. Perhaps, our agencies need specialised departments to treat rape cases, including domestic violence which policemen always describe as ‘family affair.’

    “These specialised departments should be manned by people who are emotionally intelligent, people who will empathise with the victim and still be objective in handling the case. What we need is empathy towards victims and then we can ask the right questions. But it is a shame our law enforcement agents are not trained for such.

    “We need experts trained in such fields so that investigations can make more meaning and lead to the arrest of culprits, and not just muddling up the process like it happens on social media.”

    An economic and political strategist Charles Omole (@DrCOmole) also corroborated Titiloye and his colleagues’ views. He warned that “justice is not always about the truth; it is about what can be proven.

    “Coming on social media is okay if all you want is public opinion verdict. But if you want justice, you need to first meticulously and quietly gather useable evidence. Work behind the scene first,” he said.

    For him, “the scourge of sexual crime will not be legally dealt with if every case becomes a social media circus.

    “There is need for proper detailed evidence gathering that gives the authorities no choice but to prosecute. Criminals hide easily behind false victimhood if it’s all a social media show. We should not reduce it to social media exchange of accusations because rape is a very serious matter,” he added.

    In a series of tweets, Omole highlighted what the government can do to deal with rape and ensure justice for victims. He reiterated the importance of education, leadership and effective prosecution.

    He said: “A specialist group of sex crime officers should be trained by the police in the latest sensitive case management techniques of sexual offences. Each state should have this team and they should be visible. Victims should no longer just go to any police station but only to this team.

    “All sexual crimes prosecution should automatically be done as accelerated hearings in the courts with time limit imposed by statutes or via judicial allocation guidelines. These cases must be heard and concluded swiftly.

    “A national sex offenders’ register must be produced that will be accessible to key agencies and employers to interrogate as part of vetting process for certain jobs that involve contact with children or vulnerable adults. Though rape is mostly prosecuted by states, the rules should be changed so that the Federal Government can prosecute if states fail to do so in the face of clear evidence of criminality.

    “Mass education and orientation campaign should be launched to make sexual crime unacceptable as a culture in all communities. All opinion leaders should speak against it. Children should be taught in schools how to respect opposite gender. We also need a national debate on anonymity of rape accusers since social media will make it difficult to keep the anonymity of accusers.

    “Rape is a difficult crime to prosecute, especially when in most cases there is no third party corroboration. So, evidence is important. We need to create the right environment for victims to come forward in time as decades of old accusations are almost impossible to prosecute.”

     

  • The nexus between leadership and playing politics

    The nexus between leadership and playing politics

    ‪Ogaziechi Nnedi

    Contrary to some popular narratives in history, colonialists were not the ones that introduced politics to Africa. Politics is an integral part of human existence everywhere in the world. Going back centuries  there are oral leadership histories of good and bad kings or chiefs in Africa. Colonialists merely used their superior ammunition to subdue Africans for both political and economic expediences. They preyed on the socio-cultural institutions for the psychological impact that brought to the success of their mission.

    So even though African countries today enjoy a seeming sense of political independence, some indigenous male politicians seem not to have been weaned from the sort of predatory political mentality that are legacies of colonial experiences. Their emperor-like political legacy still subsists from  ward to the highest levels of government. In most cases, the elected politicians rarely draw the line between leadership and playing politics.  The world today is filled with the conflicts amongst the two.

    In Nigeria for instance, there is an acute distrust of most politicians in ways that are very unhealthy for development.  Some are too far removed from the people that they often forget that power is so ephemeral. The people in a democracy is not identifiable on the bases of gender and so women are always willing to provide leadership too.

    However, in Nigeria’s political space, politicians emerge from the people but each politician comes  with or without a vision. The Round Table conversation in a bid to take stock of the contributions and challenges of the very few women politicians in Nigeria got talking with Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje who represented Bende federal Constituency in Abia state between 2007 and 2019. She was an outstanding Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

    The Round Table had followed her political trajectory and sought to know her inspiration and vision that made her take the Nigerian political bull by the horn and represent her people for a record three terms at the National Assembly in a country with a global, continental and regional low rating on gender parity in politics. Beyond her very professionally successful parents (her father was a highly decorated Nigerian Pilot and her mother, Roseline served as a Chief Judge of the Federal High Court) she has carved a political niche for herself.   With her education, she made her personal choices, she wanted to impact on her society in her own way, deviating from the professional fields of both parents. She was equally inspired by the late American President, John F. Kennedy whose youthful, oratorical skills and focused leadership hasve inspired generations.

    “Think not what your country can do for you but  what you can do for your country” is a quote by JFK that has a global generational appeal and Nnenna had that at the back of her mind and decided that instead of complaining about bad leadership, she would deep her feet in the political waters, murky or clear. Again, the autobiography of Anwar el-Sadat, “In search Of Identity” was equally as impactful as the Kennedy quote for her. Sadat served as the third President of Egypt.

    As impactful leaders, JFK and Anwar Sadat, the first Arab leader to win a Nobel Peace Prize seem good inspirational leaders but what then did a Nnenna achieve as a three-time Representative of her Bende Federal Constituency of Abia state? To a her, being the change she wants to see in her constituency in particular and Nigeria in general has not been achieved completely yet but she was happy to have made the minimal impact achievable given the Nigerian circumstances.

    More often than not, people forget that the legislative arm is the youngest arm and most fragile (in terms of military incursions) of our democracy, then as a legislator, even though the people assume wrongly that executive and legislative duties are one and the same in terms of provision of infrastructure, she was happy to have impacted on her community. Having been accepted and supported even by neighbouring communities to be their voice at the National Assembly, she feels nothing comes close to the satisfactory smiles of constituents who after years of lack of amenities experience the joy of having some. She was able to attract some projects through the Constituency Projects scheme in the National Assembly. For a landlocked community, water was a huge problem and making that available was gratifying. Taking the communities from under-tree meetings to well-equipped and modern Town Halls with projectors announced to the people that technology is not a city preserve.  Rehabilitating Colonial schools and maternity hospitals were priceless to the people. To have the first baby in a maternity you helped rehabilitate named after her remains priceless in addition to the maternal and child mortality reductive value.

    The mere interaction with the people on a regular basis earned her the endearing ‘Aunti’ epithet often reserved for close relatives. The multiplication of the ‘Nnenna’ name for most baby girls born during and even after her tenure eloquently tells the story of the ‘I See You’ South African endearing social mantra, ‘Sabuna’ decipherable from her interactive relationship with constituents.

    Very often because of ignorance and illiteracy, Foreign Affairs at the national level and even at NASS committee levels are often erroneously considered too ‘foreign’ to be of relevance to the people but they forget that in a global village that the world has become, there are bilateral and multilateral relationships that must be handled with finesse and diplomacy as the impact positively affects everyone. The issues of immigration, diaspora welfare,  terrorism and related fields are areas that her contributions still give her  cause to smile because she sat at global, institutional  and continental tables and contributed  to reposition Nigeria’s image in the international community given the hydra-headed social ills like militancy in the Niger Delta and Boko Haram in the North.

    According to Nnenna, while women should not sit back and beg the men for institutional c

    Nigerian women in politics

    hanges to enhance gender parity in the political space, she believes that there are two fundamental changes that can make for a level playing field. To her, women can do all the campaigning and good works but if on the election day, male politicians fund thuggery and instigate violence, women often have very slim chances of electoral victory seeing the number of elections of women that had to be retrieved from the courts.

    The idea of an Electoral Offences Commission to handle electoral offences with very stiff penalties as a deterrent must be pursued so that each candidate wins on personal merit irrespective of gender. There must be a way of validating the 35% affirmative action for women to get certain elective positions because Nigeria has qualified and willing women.The Round Table conversation realizes too that there are men in and out of the political field that are ready to support qualified women. The late Ojo Maduekwe, some notable traditional rulers were very supportive of her aspiration.

    Experience has shown that no power is achieved on a platter, there are challenges but women must make  conscious and concerted efforts to compete  with the men who by the way often see women in politics as mere intruders often unwilling to yield grounds. Being mentally and educationally equipped are good foundations. Reading books and having a solid vision are profound routes to success in politics for all. A leader must be knowledgeable.

    The dialogue continues…

  • A nation, democracy and its women

    A nation, democracy and its women

    Roundtable with Nnedinso Ogaziechi

    There is a very intriguing bent to the definition of democracy as a government of the people by the people and for the people. It is intriguing because there is no delineation of the voting demographics or gender, age or status. The people are just the people – an all-inclusive word. A nation on the other hand is defined as a ‘large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory’.

    So a nation chooses to practice democracy as a way of taking care of the people. By and large, democracy has been adjudged the best system of government when its best tenets are practiced because it gives each citizen a voice and to hold the leader to account.

    However, it is curious that a country like Nigeria that has oscillated between civilian democracies and military rule seems to be tottering between democracy and pseudo democracy. The Round Table conversation feels that the nation might just be better off interrogating the brand of Nigerian democracy that seems to have largely excluded women and the youth population. Is it an accident of history or a well-orchestrated plan for gender exclusion?

    Has the country fared better with the patriarchal dominance in politics? Why do we reference the legendary queens, Amina, Idia, Moremi, Ekpo, Ransome-Kuti etc.? Does it mean that leadership in the post-colonial Nigerian nation is gender-sensitive. Why is Nigeria lagging behind in gender parity in politics? Why are most women subtly and overtly discouraged from taking part in partisan politics and why are the very few women in politics often seen as threading in dangerous paths? Are most women waiting to be handed power or are there huddles too high for them to jump over?

    Oscar Onwudiwe, a lawyer and a public affairs analyst is of the opinion that the real definition of nationhood keeps eluding the

    Nigeria because the country is too neck deep in the struggle for tribal confidence. This can be seen in the struggle by the three major tribes to dominate since independence. Independence was equally gotten on a platter of tribal struggle for the leadership of the country.

    According to Mr. Onwudiwe, because of the flawed struggle for domination pre and post-independence, real nationhood seem to have eluded the country. The overt and covert wars of tribal supremacy ushered in a sense of divided loyalty as tribal sentiment seemed to drown out the quest for nation-building. When there is divided loyalty, merit dies, equity suffers, and careers suffer.

    In the milieu of tribal supremacy wars, women have no chance as wars are left to the men who assume the masculine role of political soldiers more or less. The country then got decorated on geographic bases of North East, South West, Middle-Belt, South East and South-South amongst others. There are undeclared territorial wars amongst the men of the geographic expressions. As they say, when elephants fight, the grass suffers. In this ‘political wars’, women suffer.

    In the political history of Nigeria therefore, it becomes evident why women are not as included as to make much political impact. Even fellow women do not support women because the psyche seems to be sending the wrong signals like men being the ones created to fight successfully for territorial dominance. Mr. Onwudiwe points out that from the federal to ward elections, there is an ingrained nepotistic struggle. That is why we hear of zoning, of Christian, Muslim, of Northern or Southern President instead of just the best candidate.

    Going back to history, he observed that Germany is flourishing under a woman, Angela Merkel, she dared not when Germany was at war.

    Today Rwanda has the highest percentage of women in its parliament, a global record. Today Rwanda is a business and tourism hob in Africa, a phoenix that arose from the ashes of 1994 genocide.

    Women in the country are flourishing because today Rwanda is a nation not segregated by tribal supremacy battles. He believes Nigerian women would bring in their technocratic, intellectual and business attributes ones the men see Nigeria as a nation. The people of Nigeria must first fight for a genuine nation before full development can be achieved with an all-inclusive female and youth population who are some of the best in the world.

    Rt. Hon. Adetoun Adediran holds the record of the first Nigerian woman to be elected Deputy Speaker of a house of Assembly in Lagos state at the return of democracy in 1999, her journey in politics has been as challenging as it has been rewarding. According to her, Nigeria had just emerged from a long period of military rule and it seemed strange that a woman like her and of her age would ‘dare’ to enter the political space. But she was coming from a political family that set examples she vowed to not only follow but to surpass.

    Her personal ambition of impacting on her community was the inspiration she needed to surmount all the barricades on her way. She recalled being told by some men to jettison her ambition and be nominated for a post latter. She refused and decided to fight it out with the men who hounded her endlessly for daring to thread the ‘male’ exclusive political path. She recalls having entered the political space at the time with about twelve other women and remembers that only two of them succeeded in winning their elections. She won to represent Surulere Constituency 1 made up then of six wards on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    She encountered many huddles like having to attend the deliberate nocturnal meeting that is a culture of Nigerian politicians. She was often threatened physically but she believed that leadership has never been gender sensitive. According to her she knew that in a free and fair election, she would win having campaigned extensively from door to door even selling her programmes to her opposition’s constituents.

    Hon. Toun as she is popularly called feels that women must not wait to be handed power as that is a mirage. They must learn the political strategies and dare the men. To her no man could beat her campaign strategies at the time. She beat them in their game and was able to endear herself to the electorate while swiftly maneuvering all the huddles placed by the men who felt that politics was their exclusive turf.

    Being elected the first female deputy speaker shot her into political reckoning as she grew to become the immediate past South West Women Leader of her political party the APC. She was not just a token at the assembly as the few bills she sponsored today stand in her name. Her impact on her constituency and beyond has encouraged her to mentor more women to participate actively in politics.

    In her words, “competent women must get out to take their rightful places in politics as I detest the idea of requesting the 35% affirmative action for women” . Women must be focused and pursue their ambitions without fear of male intimidation or financial constraints as the voters often support women who are qualified and ready without the financial muscle that men often flaunt. She advises women to start from their communities and rise to the top.

    Between Oscar and Hon. Toun’s realities, The Round Table believes that these conversations might provide a valid roadmap for a better nation with enduring leadership. The women might just meet the men at the barricades for the good of the nation for generations to come.

    The dialogue continues…

     

     

  • Female reporters highlight challenges in the newsroom

    Female reporters highlight challenges in the newsroom

    As the World celebrates the World Press Freedom Day, JUSTINA ASISHANA and JULIANA AGBO spoke to some female reporters across Nigeria and Africa and highlight the challenges they face in reporting without fear or favour.

     

    Research by the International Women Media Fund (IWMF) shows that women represent only 37 per cent of the bylines produced by major news organisations while one in three early-career female journalists consider leaving the profession due to gender-based targeting.

    The research also indicated that female journalists face a double burden, being attacked as Journalists, and secondly, as women.

    It is believed that the newsroom is believed to be anything but friendly to female journalists while coverage generated by women is often questioned, attacked, or distrusted. A lot of people believe that this hostile behaviour keeps female journalists out of the field.

    A recent audit conducted by Journalists for Christ, a faith-based media group in Nigeria, revealed that only very few women hold top management and leadership positions in the Nigerian media. The audit findings also showed that these positions remain largely male-dominated.

    However, only in a limited number of news programmes do women appear as main actors or experts. One of the reasons for this situation is the smaller number of women in these spheres, but even the existing number of women is underrepresented compared to their male counterparts.

    Female journalists say that it would not have been possible for a male journalist to tell the story the way they do; they think that more needs to be done to make Nigeria newsrooms more inclusive. These female Journalists feel that when men are dominant in the newsroom, it tends to reflect not just in the kind of stories they write or the angles they pursue but also in the sources being quoted.

    Newsrooms, which shine a light on the lack of representation of women in politics, parliament, and other state organs, have largely failed to pay heed to their staff demographics.

    The research also reveals that women in the newsrooms are rarely mentored to become leaders, as they are rather put into soft beats like food and entertainment.

    Researches over the past two decades on the working conditions of women media professionals have mostly shown that women sometimes face hostility in the newsroom, which can be partly explained by the lack of organisational policies relating to gender equality and reporting mechanisms for harassment.

     

    ‘Put female correspondents  on beats that sell’

    Jamilia
    Jamilia

    While Jamila Akweley Okertchiri, a Health Correspondent in Ghana thinks that though journalism has not been easy for both genders to carry out their work, it is much tougher on the women journalists as it is not an easy playing ground for them.

    She observed that female journalists are few in the field. “In my media organisation, we have just two female reporters in the headquarters and we cover critical sectors. We need more women correspondents and Journalists, I don’t know why it is inappropriately shared like that but I think we need more women in the field.”

    Okertchiri said it would make more difference to have more bylines from women while stating that it is also discouraging when she goes all out for a report which at the end of the day is not published, “it is very discouraging and it discourages you from working hard. If you are not a strong person, it will break you.”

    She advised media managers to assign female Journalists to beats that can sell which will make them churn out good stories that would be used and they will be motivated to do more.

    “I do not think a woman’s story should be published just because she is a woman, I think a story that meets the house style that the audience will want to read, a story that will sell should be published irrespective of who writes it. All stories should be weighed equally and if it deserves being published, irrespective of who wrote it, it should be published.

    “But women should be put on beats that sell; if you put a woman on a beat that doesn’t sell, beats that a low key, don’t expect anything extra from them because there will be no interesting news coming out of these and the woman will feel sidelined.

     

    Gender equality in the newsroom

    Margaret Ameh, a correspondent in Abuja, feels that when there are too many men in leading positions in media organisations, they are bound to feel entitled, as patriarchy itself is very pervasive.

    Ameh, who feels documentation of women stories, is still sparse, said there are women reporters and editors in newsrooms today, but they are still in the minority.

    “Even when women are present in the newsroom, they are limited to covering ‘women’s issues’ and are rarely allowed to move into other beats that are seen to be more serious.”

    She reiterated the need to have a woman in the decision-making position, adding that the position changes the dynamics of the newsroom as well as the stories that come out.

     

    ‘Urgent need for more female correspondents in the newsroom’

    For women journalists, more inclusive newsrooms enable stories to be told in better, unconsidered ways. A woman’s phenomenological experience allows for a more empathetic narration, according to a journalist based in Abuja, Grace Mathew.

    “It is important for women to be part of the newsroom because news articles frame people’s minds, and sometimes when we don’t present different perspectives of the events, the truth never gets a chance,” she said.

    Corroborating this, a journalist in Kaduna, Rose Garba, reiterated the need for more women to be part of the newsroom.

    She said: “Women in the newsroom bring different perspectives and make people aware of different sensitivities that they may not otherwise realise. Having women in the same space, it allows more inclusive and progressive coverage of stories.

    “We need to tell our own stories to make people understand what we go through, men too can tell our stories, but when a woman is telling the story, it’s more powerful because we can relate to women’s issues in ways men are unable to.”

    Rose further explained the importance of people to understand why there is a need for more women in media and more women stories saying, “We need more stories to inspire more participation of women in all sorts of works, to be enabled together and to share our knowledge.”

     

    ‘Non-usage of stories by  Editors is demoralising’

    Priscilla Dennis, a correspondent in Niger State, says it is demoralising when her reports are not used especially when she goes the extra mile just to get the report done. “Having my report not published is so demoralising.

    I feel very bad and sad, particularly, when I am being asked from the office to do the report. Most time, I feel, at least, an explanation should be offered to understand why it was not used,” she said.

    She went on: “As a female journalist/correspondent, there are several challenges such as intimidation, threats against family, harassment often takes specific, gender-based forms, including sexual smears among others.

    “More women, in my opinion, should be made state correspondents because, I believe they can handle such positions efficiently and effectively and they will do well even, better than their male colleagues.”

     

    ‘Challenges abound to women journalists’

    Chinwendu Nnadozie
    Chinwendu Nnadozie

    Chinwendu Nnadozie, a correspondent in Niger, said women journalists face challenges that come in different forms especially practising in the North.

    “Disrespect and discrimination from male colleagues and newsmakers abound. Men feel threatened or challenged by your presence, some will see you as the only fit for ‘the other room’ and so would do anything and everything to make sure you are down especially if they try to woo you or make relationship advances to you and fail, you automatically become their enemy. Because of that, I think we need more women that will stand out and make the desired difference.”

    Chinwendu also called for gender balance in newsrooms saying that, “This will also allow for women to contribute to newsroom policies.”

    She expressed displeasure over times when she sends reports that were not used saying there is need for “Editors to have one on one contact/interactions with the outstation staff (reporters) so that they can call then and make corrections or to advice the reporter on the way they want the report.”

    Okertchiri advised that though journalism is a tough place, women journalists need to prove themselves and that woman can rise the ranks in Journalism without people handling them favours which will enable them to carry their job without fear or favour.

    “I think journalism is an equal playing ground, though it is a tough place I think, as women journalists, if you prove yourself, if you can prove that you are up to the task, then you will be given the opportunity. Women journalists should carry on without expecting people to hand them favours.

    “I am working on an area that is male dominant and I have always proven myself that I can do this and because I am focused and worked hard, I have gotten to heights men in my office haven’t gotten to.

    I cover health beat and I have been covering it for a long time, I have my sources and how to get my information. That is why I say it is good that we are given good and sellable beats.”

     

  • Francesca Emmanuel…End of an era

    Francesca Emmanuel…End of an era

    Francesca Emmanuel was a woman of many parts – she was an accomplished public civil servant, a successful administrator, a talented singer, poet, actress and a distinguished woman of the arts.

    Francesca was born on September 19, 1933, in Lagos, to the late Francis Eugenio Aderinkoye Pereira, who was Chief Clerk in the Governor’s Office, and Honoria Folashade Pereira (nee Caulcrick), a seamstress. She attended Methodist Girls’ School from 1938 to 1940 (kindergarten) and Princess School, Lagos, from 1941 to 1945 for her primary education.

    She was admitted into Holy Child College, Lagos in 1946, and in 1952, after obtaining her Cambridge School Certificate, she was admitted to the University College, Ibadan (now University of Ibadan) where she studied Geography. Francesca obtained her Inter-B.A in 1955 and then transferred to the University College, London, for her main degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Geography in 1959.

    Mrs. Emmanuel had her professional career largely in the civil service; she went through the whole gamut of the various arms of the Federal Civil Service. She started as an Assistant Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (1959-1960), becoming the first indigenous female Administrative Officer in the Federal Civil Service.

    Between 1960 and 1961, she was at the Federal Ministry of Establishment from where she was transferred to the Police Affairs Division in the Cabinet Office from 1961 to 1964. In recognition of her outstanding performance, she was appointed Senior Assistant Secretary, Secretariat of the Morgan Commission of Nigerian Workers in 1964; Under-Secretary, Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry (1964 to 1969); Deputy-Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (1969-1973). She was also Principal Secretary, Cabinet Office (1973 to 1974) and Secretary, Federal Public Service Commission (January to June 1975).

    The late Francesca did not only excel in administration, but in other areas as well. She was a gifted singer, starting off from the Sunday School. She later enlisted with the Little Star Band of Hope Meeting of the Methodist Church, Olowogbowo. She won first prize as soloist in many concerts, most notable among which were as Soprano Solo at the first Nigerian Festival of the Arts in Lagos in 1950. Francesca was also a remarkable actress and a member of the pioneer group known as the Steve Rhodes Voices, which featured in some of Wole Soyinka’s earliest plays in the 1960s.

    Francesca Emmanuel was a founding member as well as member of the Board of Trustees of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), serving on various boards. She once served as a Commissioner of the United Nations International Civil Service Commission (1987 to 1992) and was a member of several bodies, including Governing Council, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (1989-1993); National Salaries and Wages Commission (1992-1994); National Merit Award Committee (1989-1991); Harvard Business School Award Committee (1988-1997).

    In recognition of these remarkable achievements, Francesca was honored with several prestigious awards, including Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 2000; the Retirement Award for Brilliant Performances and Outstanding Achievement by the Federal Directors-General (Permanent Secretaries) in 1988; Fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Management (1991); Most Distinguished University of Ibadan Alumni Award for Excellence in Service to Humanity (2000); induction into the Hall of Fame, National Centre for Women Development (2004); and the Glover Memorial Centennial Award for Services to Arts and Culture in Lagos State (2000).

    Francesca Emmanuel was involved in the activities of several NGOs and Associations like MUSON, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF); Holy Child College Old Girls’ Association (HCCOGA), etc. Hers was a most productive and fulfilled life of service to nation and humanity.

  • Coronavirus and the burden of child delivery

    Coronavirus and the burden of child delivery

    By Oyebola owolabi

     

    Uncertainties about delivery, breastfeeding and other maternal/child issues have become sources of worry for many expectant mothers. Some are too scared to even attend ante-natal clinics, let alone having their babies delivered in the hospital.

    The global lockdown is also not helping matters as many of them are worried about commuting to get their routine drugs and other basic needs.

    What fate lies for them seeing that hospitals are overwhelmed amid the global lockdown?

    A March 18, 2020 publication by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) revealed that two cases of ‘possible vertical transmission (transmission from mother to baby antenatal or intra-partum)’ had been reported. “In both cases, it remains unclear whether transmission was prior to or soon after birth. Expert opinion is that the foetus is unlikely to be exposed during pregnancy,” the report said.

    Women with symptoms of the Coronavirus in China had their babies delivered prematurely, and it is unclear whether the virus caused this or the doctors made the decision for the baby to be born early because the woman was unwell.

    Dr. Wei Zhang, an Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, also co-authored a study, which looked at nine expectant mothers in China diagnosed with Covid-19 and who gave birth via C-section.

    The research team tested amniotic fluid, cord blood, baby’s throat swab, and breast milk, and didn’t find any evidence that the virus could pass from mother to child in the womb or through a C-section.

    The report said: “The new born who recently tested positive in England doesn’t disprove these findings – there’s no information about what kind of preventive measures were taken during delivery or what specimens were tested by the family’s medical teams. It’s unclear how the baby contracted the virus.

    “Though the virus doesn’t seem to be vertically transmitted, an analysis on 10 new-born babies from mothers with COVID-19 found that the infection does seem to have an adverse effect on new-borns – including respiratory distress, thrombocytopenia (a low blood platelet count), and abnormal liver function. Because of this, health experts agree we need more data to fully assess new-borns’ risk of contracting the virus.”

    These reports have, however, not allayed the fears of many, especially considering the present circumstances which have necessitated a global lockdown.

    Some said they would prefer to have a home birth if it was an option. But how realistic is a home birth or other delivery options in Nigeria, especially at a time like this?

    Barbara Nkwocha (pseudonym) is too afraid to even attend ante-natal clinic. She is skeptical about having her baby in the hospital as the health facility which should be a safe place might no longer be so.

    “I am scared because I am due anytime soon. I don’t even know the gender of my baby because the baby won’t open its legs. I have only bought a few things and now that there is a lockdown what will I do? I haven’t made any changes to my delivery plans yet because I am scared. In fact, I didn’t attend ante-natal this week because I was afraid of going out. We don’t know who is infected and who is not.

    “I have also not spoken to my doctor since the lockdown because of fear. I have just been taking my routine drugs and eating well. I would definitely prefer a home birth if such option presents itself because the hospitals are a no-go area for now. I am so scared but I am trusting God in all,” she said.

    Twitter is bombarded with couples expressing their fears and only hoping that things will get better before delivery. @Dspiritual is keeping hope alive for his expectant wife.

    He said: “Just keeping hope alive on behalf of my wife. Calling my family doctor is even scarier. I don’t know the level of safety to categorise his visit to my house. I wish I am a doctor at this time. We have few weeks to go and believing God for a miracle.”

    Abdul Malik @abdulma64658190 said: “My wife’s Expected Date of Delivery (EDD) is next month. She went to the hospital for ante-natal but the officials told everyone to stay at home. They also said WHO said everyone should stay at home. I’ve never seen health workers from hell like those ones.”

    Mrs. Yinka Oluborode is also afraid due to the situation. She has not made changes to her delivery plans and attending ante-natal clinic has not been the same since the outbreak of Coronavirus.

    “I have not really made any change in my plans and ante-natal clinic has not been the same since Coronavirus broke out. The last clinic I attended was not it at all; the doctors were afraid of contracting Coronavirus to the extent that we were not allowed to sit and interact with them. I would also like a home birth if it was an option, considering the situation of things,” she added.

    While Barbara and Yinka are very scared, Mrs. Deborah Aiyo is rather calm. She understands the palpable fear in many, but is sure the doctors are professionals in their field and know what to do.

    She said: “One cannot rule out the fear factor because even doctors and nurses are being careful. They won’t touch you unless they have their long gloves that reach the elbow on. There are no changes to my delivery plans, at least for now. I follow instructions on proper hygiene, especially when I attend ante-natal. I maintain social distancing, regular hand washing and I sanitise my hands before entering and after leaving the hospital. I have also been told to distance my baby from people after delivery.”

    Mrs. Ndidi Igwe (pseudonym) is also confident that Coronavirus will not disrupt her delivery arrangements.

    She said: “There are no changes to my delivery plans. I know my due date and the delivery method I will undergo. I have been attending ante-natal, with precautions though; no going out unnecessarily; taking my sanitiser with me and getting checked immediately I get to the hospital. I also wash my hands before and after I am attended to.

    “My doctor is a professional and hasn’t taken any chances with me. He checks on me daily through calls to monitor my movement and ensure I am safe. There is no cause for alarm.”

    Mrs. Yinka Famugbode is not pregnant but she is sympathetic to expectant mothers, especially those whose due dates fall within the next two weeks.

    “Well, I am sure they can’t attend any ante-natal at the moment considering the tension in the air. If I was in their position, I will just sit at home and use my prenatal vitamins judiciously. It’s not easy being pregnant in this dire circumstances and I pity them. But I believe God will help them and their doctors are professionals who know their jobs and will perform well.”

    Dr. Segun Adeniji also assured the women that pregnancy does not make them more susceptible to contracting Coronavirus. According to him, expectant mothers only need to take all necessary precautions like every other person.

  • Women, girls still battle inequalities

    Women, girls still battle inequalities

    The United Nations (UN) laments that despite some progress, real change has been agonisingly slowed for the majority of women and girls in the world. To mark the 2020 International Women’s Day, OYEBOLA OWOLABI examines efforts towards giving women greater opportunities 

     

    The International Women’s Day, celebrated every March 8, is set aside to celebrate women, who impact the world and to call for greater opportunities for women. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘I am Generation Equality: Realising Women’s Rights’.

    However, the United Nations (UN) laments that no country can claim to have achieved gender equality. “Multiple obstacles remain unchanged in law and culture. Women and girls continue to be undervalued; they work more, earn less and have fewer choices; and experience multiple forms of violence at home and in public spaces. Furthermore, there is a significant threat of rollback of hard-won feminist gains,” a report on the UN Women’s website said.

     

    POLITICS

    The report notes that women’s political representation has doubled globally in the last 25 years, but this sadly still amounts to about one in four parliamentary seats being held by women. It added that as at October 2019, there were only 10 women Heads of State and 13 women Heads of Government across 22 countries, compared with four Heads of State and eight Prime Ministers across 12 countries in 1995.

    In Nigeria, for instance, only about six (6.54 per cent) of the 109 senators are women. Lagos State, the country’s commercial capital, pioneered having a woman deputy governor. The state has produced nine deputy governors since 1979, with six being women. Alhaja Lateefa Okunnu occupied the seat between 1988 and 1991; Mrs. Sinatu Ojikutu (1992 – 1993); Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor (1999-2002); Princess Sarah Sosan (2007-2010); Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adufulire (2011-2015) and Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule (2015-2019).

    Today, Lagos has seven women among the 27 commissioners; adding the Secretary to the State Government, it will increase the number to eight. This, however, is a far cry from the situation in Finland, a country which boasts of 42.5 per cent women in parliament and 67.7 per cent in the labour force. Finland has had two female Prime Ministers and a female president, who served for 12 years. Its current Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, is just 34 years old, and perhaps the world’s youngest sitting Prime Minister. She heads Finland’s governing coalition of five parties-all of which have female leaders, and almost all are under the age of 35. The country was also voted second in the Global Gender Gap in women’s right.

    Rivers, Kaduna, Enugu and Ogun states have female deputy governors, but this number is still negligible when compared to the number of positions men occupy at the national and state levels. The reason for this may not be far-fetched. Senior Communications Officer of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Armsfree Ajanaku, said the centre followed the 2019 elections closely and realised that female candidates continued to face structural and cultural hurdles, which inhibits their participation in the political process.

     

    MATERNAL HEALTH

    Women in Nigeria are entitled to 12 weeks (three months) of maternity leave. The Federal Government, however, took a bold step in 2018 and increased it to 16 weeks (four months).  Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige announced the extension when he addressed the plenary at the 107th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. He said: “Nigeria recently increased the period for maternity leave from 12 to 16 weeks to allow enough recuperation time for both baby and mother in terms of breastfeeding.”

    The Nigerian Labour Act, however, does not recognise paternity leave and makes no provisions for it. A bill for an Act to make provisions for optional paternity leave to married male employees in private and public service also failed to scale through second reading in the House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Edward Pwajok, was defeated with a unanimous voice vote.

    Ekiti, in January, joined Kaduna, Enugu and Lagos states in approving six months of fully-paid maternity leave for nursing mothers. Deputy Governor Bisi Egbeyemi said the increase was to ensure their physical wellbeing so that they can practice exclusive breastfeeding. It will also allow mother-child bonding, he added.

    Kaduna State Governor, during his swearing in May 2019, announced the increase from four to six months. “I am pleased to announce that the State Executive Council approved six months maternity leave for our female public servants. This encourages the healthy development of infants through prolonged breastfeeding, among other benefits. Mothers are also reminded that children up to the age of five get free, regular medical checks in public hospitals. Please take advantage of this,” he said.

    Then Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, authorised the increase in 2014. He also approved a 10-day paternity leave for fathers, citing exclusive breast feeding and maternal-child bonding as reasons for the decision. Enugu gives six months maternity and three weeks paternity leave. The governor announced this in 2015, saying it was to allow husbands support their nursing wives.

    The six months might seem a big deal, but when compared to what women in countries like Finland, Sweden, Norway, Portugal enjoy, the number pales into insignificance. Sweden gives 480 days to a couple, or 240 days each. Portugal gives 120 days paid at 100 per cent of salary and another optional 30 days at 80 per cent of salary. Fathers in Denmark get two weeks after a birth and both parents can share another 32 weeks between them.

     

    SCIENCES

    In the sciences, only about 30 per cent of the world’s researchers are women. Less than a third of female students choose to study higher education courses in subjects such as maths and engineering. Women working in STEM fields are also published less and often receive less pay, and even those who obtain STEM degrees are less likely to pursue a career in those fields. The implication of this is that women and girls remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields despite global action call for gender balance.

    According to UNESCO data (2014-2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. The report adds that globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (three per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (five per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (eight per cent).

    In Nigeria, only 22 per cent of women are graduates of Engineering and Technology per year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The same report said women comprise only about a fifth of the total number of people working in information and communication technology.

    To bridge the gap therefore, Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres, in marking the 2020 International Day of Women and Girls in Sciences, said: “To rise to the challenges of the 21st Century, we need to harness our full potential. This requires dismantling gender stereotypes. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, let’s pledge to end the gender imbalance in science.”

    Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), reiterates that “If we are to be able to address the enormous challenges of the 21st Century – from climate change to technological disruption – we will need to rely on science and the mobilisation of all our resources. It is for this reason that the world must not be deprived of the potential, the intelligence, or the creativity of the thousands of women who are victims of deep-seated inequality and prejudice.”

    A UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, notes that one of the first steps to ensuring more women embrace STEM is breaking gender stereotypes linking science to masculinity, which can start with exposing younger generations to female role models leading the way in STEM.

  • ‘Countries not doing enough for children’

    ‘Countries not doing enough for children’

    Our Reporter

     

    The world’s survival depends on children being able to flourish, but no country is doing enough to give them a sustainable future, dozens of highly respected international health experts have said.

    In a UN-backed report assessing the capacity of 180 countries to ensure that their youngsters can survive and thrive, the authors highlight numerous ‘immediate’ threats to their health, environment, and opportunities.

    These include runaway greenhouse gas emissions, predatory advertising and deepening inequality in and among countries.

    “No country in the world is currently providing the conditions we need to support every child to grow up and have a healthy future,” said Anthony Costello, Professor of Global Health and Sustainability at University College London, one of the lead authors of the report, commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and The Lancet medical journal.

    READ ALSO: UNICEF, EU empower 25,000 Borno youths

    “Especially, they’re under immediate threat from climate change and from commercial marketing, which has grown hugely in the last decade,” Prof. Costello – former WHO Director of Mother, Child and Adolescent health – said.

    “Growing inequality in all countries is also responsible for undermining children’s prospects. This is the case even in wealthy industrialised nations like the United Kingdom, which had ‘very serious issues’ with child poverty and inequality.

    “The poorest countries have a long way to go to let their children be healthy, but the wealthy countries are threatening the future of all children through these excessive carbon emissions. We agree with Greta Thunberg when she says our world is on fire,” Costello said.

    Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and co-chair of the commission Helen Clark lamented that an estimated 250 million children under five in low and middle-income countries are at risk of not reaching their development potential. “But of even greater concern, every child worldwide now faces existential threats from climate change and commercial pressures,” she stressed.

  • $683 appeal for reproductive health services

    $683 appeal for reproductive health services

    Our Reporter

     

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched a $683 million appeal to assist about 48 million women, girls and young people in 57 countries affected by conflict or natural disasters.

    “Women and girls pay a high price in conflicts they had no role in creating. It is time to prioritise their rights, safety and dignity in humanitarian action.

    During crises and conflict, violence against women and girls is staggering. Women do not stop getting pregnant and having babies when crisis strikes.

    We must provide them with the services and the support they need,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director.

    Read Also: EU, UN move to end violence against women, girls

     

    UNFPA’s Humanitarian Action 2020 Overview outlines how women and girls face unique challenges during humanitarian disasters, including increased risk of death from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV).

    Through the plan, UNFPA and its partners will provide life-saving sexual and reproductive health supplies and services, prevention and response to gender-based violence, and mental health and psychosocial support.

    More than $100 million of the funding will go to Yemen, where nearly 80 per cent of the population requires humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing conflict.

    This includes over half a million expectant mothers in need of ante-natal care, skilled birth assistance and nutritional support.

    Dr. AfrahThabet, a Yemeni obstetrician stationed with UNFPA in the country, reported that only 50 percent of all health facilities are functioning, and of that number, only 37 percent provide reproductive health services.

    She described the UNFPA as a ‘lifeline’ for millions of women and girls there as it is the sole provider of lifesaving reproductive health supplies and medicines.