Hadiza's Blog

  A woman washing at a stream in Wassa IDP Camp in the FCT. Photo: Hadiza Abdulrahman Nigeria faces significant challenges in guaranteeing the human right to water for its population. A 2022 World Bank report reveals that  60 million  Nigerians lacked access to basic drinking water, and in 2021, over 100 million lacked basic sanitation. This deficiency leads to waterborne diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid, causing millions of deaths annually, especially among children under five.  women and girls are disproportionately affected , spending hours collecting water and facing risks, leaving them little or no time for education, work, or other activities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Maternal health is also severely impacted, with expectant and new mothers facing increased risks without clean water. In Takushara, Abuja, young girls collecting water from a canal. Photo: Hadiza Abdulrahman TAKUSHARA In Abuja, the nation’s capital, some commun...

The International Women’s Day was born out of labour  movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since then, the day has grown in prominence and reach. The growing movement, which has been strengthened by   four global United Nations   (UN) women’s conferences, has helped make its commemoration a rallying point for action to build support for women’s rights and their full participation in political, economic and social spheres of the society. Today, women from all walks of life are also recognized and celebrated for their resilience, courage, and contributions to their societies. In recent years, there has been significant progress in advancing women’s rights and opportunities across various domains, including education, politics, and the workforce. However, pervasive gender disparities persist, hindering the full realization of women’s potential and impeding global development efforts. From unequal access to education and healthcar...

Photo Credit: iStock Albinism is a genetic condition characterized by a lack of pigmentation (color) in the skin, hair, and eyes. This condition develops when the body is unable to create the typical quantity of melanin – the pigment that determines the colour of these tissues. People with Albinism are found in every society, and the internationally accepted common term used for persons affected by albinism is “Persons with Albinism” (PWAs).  There are several types of albinism. The severity of the condition can vary. The most common form is called oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), which affects the eyes, skin, and hair.  Experiences of PWAs at school Joy Ohime, a Mass Communications student at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa state, said her poor vision has always been a barrier to her education, complaining that  she has had to rely on a friend for class notes because of her inability to see or read from the chalkboard. “Sometimes,  my friend has to dictate from...

  By Hadiza Abdulrahman  The month of October has been dubbed “Pink Month” as part of a global campaign to increase awareness of breast cancer. The Pink Month is a time when initiatives are made to inform those who are worried about the disease, including early detection, signs and symptoms of breast cancer. What is Breast Cancer ? A medical practitioner Dr Summaiya Al-Mansur with the National AIDS/STI Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health said cancer is a disease that originates from the breast tissue. ”It begins when the cells in the breast starts to grow uncontrollably forming a lump or what we call tumours”. Dr Summaiya noted that these tumours might not be cancerous and spread or malignant meaning they are cancerous and could potentially invade other near by tissues or spread to other parts of the body. ”Against the believe that only women can have breast cancer isn’t true according to the medical doctor”. She said men also have breast thus, some are prone t...

Photo Credit: Flickr/IFPRI/Milo Mitchell By Hadiza Abdulrahman The United Nations, says women account for a substantial proportion of the agricultural labor force, including informal work, and perform the bulk of unpaid care and domestic work within families and households in rural areas. Despite their contributions, most of them do not have access to land, technology, and other support as men. These barriers have continued to hinder the growth of the rural women, hence the clarion reminder for societies to empower them economically and socially to improve their quality of life and enable them to contribute to the development of their communities. As a reminder of their contributions, the International Day of Rural Women is celebrated annually on October 15th. This observance highlights the various ways in which rural women enrich rural life and contribute to development. According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, women  account for 75percent of the far...