By Ankeli Emmanuel (Sokoto)
The wife of the Sokoto State Governor, Hajiya (Dr) Mariya Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has distributed dignity kits to no fewer than 100 Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) survivors at the Mariam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, popularly known as VVF center Sokoto.
The kits donated by United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA) were given to the survivors as part of the ceremony marking the 2021 International Day to End Fistula.
The ceremony with its theme, '' Women's Rights are Human Rights! End Fistula now", was organized by UNFPA in collaboration with the Foundation of the Sokoto State governor's wife, Mariya Tambuwal Development Initiative (MTDI).
Speaking in an encouragement packed voice, Mariya Tambuwal, appealed to all stakeholders to play their parts in supporting VVF patients and survivors alike. . While stressing that her foundation, the MTDI collaborates with UNFPA Nigeria with funding from the Canadian Government to support the Sokoto State Government towards prevention of obstetric fistula via diverse empowerment programs.
Giving a rundown of VVF cure efforts made so far in Sokoto between 2020 and 2021, Mariya Tambuwal said repair surgery was done for 260 Fistula patients for free, while additional 180 VVF survivors were empowered with skill acquisition and 120 reintegrated into their communities.
''Also 365 repaired fistula survivors had a free caesarian section to prevent recurrence and maintained their motherhood and dignity in the society since 2016 to date.
''We must collectively work towards ending obstetric fistula as a critical step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and realizing the promise of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
''Along with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development which both plans are oriented to fight for women’s rights, including sexual and reproductive health.
''Women’s rights are human rights, yet almost everywhere around the world, women and girls are still denied them, often because of their gender. ''It is a violation of human rights as reflected by broader health inequities and healthcare system constraints, as well as wider challenges facing women and girls, such as poverty, gender, and socioeconomic inequality.
''Lack of schooling, child marriage and early childbearing all of which impede the well-being and opportunities for women and girls.
''To end fistula, we must strengthen the health system, eliminate gender-based social and economic inequities; promote girl-child education, and foster community participation in finding solutions, including through the active involvement of men as well as seeking the help of fistula survivors as advocates, '' Mariya Tambuwal averred.
She noted that fistula is preventable when women and girls are given comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, Mariya Tambuwal thanked UNFPA, Fistula Foundation, HPI, and other supporting organizations for their consistent assistance to the vulnerable Fistula patients.
On her part, Mrs. Gloria Enueze, the UNFPA Programme Officer in Sokoto, decried that the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has not only exposed pre-existing inequalities but also exposed the vulnerabilities in social and economic systems. Enueze also assured of UNFPA continued commitment to supporting VVF and other areas towards giving people better lives in the county.
Reacting to the gesture by the wife of the Sokoto State governor, Mariya Tambuwal, VVF survivors thanked her and the UNFPA as well as other supporting partners for their continued interventions, which according to them has helped in no small measure. NNL.