The Aminu Magashi Garba foundation has call for collaborative effort between CSO and the media in amplifying women’s health in the state.
Delivering his address during a one day sensitization and awareness campaign on breast cancer and women’s health, he said that the event which was co- funded by the foundation is to strengthen collective voice and visibility of women journalists in promoting impactful health advocacy.
Representing, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, Jannatul Abba Suleiman said that the importance of women journalists cannot be over emphasized, as it is a opportunity to call on all media outlets to enhance their awareness and deepen their engagements around family planning, maternal and newborn and child health issues.
As the voices of the media can reach and influence communities needed to stimulate conversations and prompt action from policy makers.
She added that Women face multiple layers of vulnerability at different stages of life, from pregnancy to childbirth and early motherhood. Young children, adolescents, and the girl child rely on a more responsive health system.
The girl child of today will become the adolescent and adult woman of tomorrow, and she deserves a system capable of supporting her at every stage.
She then highlighted some of the core advocacy
messages
1. We advocate for increased skilled human resources for health to ensure quality family planning and MNCH services through the Kano state ministry of health
2. We advocate for the timely release of funds for Kano State’s annual approved family planning and MNCH budget.
3. We advocate for additional funding sources for family planning and MNCH (ANC drugs, vaccines and delivery kits) commodities and consumables to prevent stockouts and ensure continuous access.
And call on women journalists not to relent in amplifying the Advocacy messages in their various media organisations.
“Ensuring they reach a wider audience and capture the attention of high-level decision makers. Your role in documentation, publication, and broadcasting is central to creating visibility and sustaining public awareness.Abba said”.
Those in attendance are Nigeria Association of women Journalists Kano State Chapter, partners, Africa Health Budget Network, the AMG Foundation, the CHR, V-PESDI, AMMKAS, YOSPIS, and the White Heart Development Initiative.
