Background Period poverty refers to the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education, and facilities that enable safe and dignified management of menstruation. In Nigeria, approximately 25% of women and girls experience period poverty, with many resorting to unhygienic alternatives like rags, paper, or old clothes during menstruation. This practice increases the risk…
Introduction Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a deeply entrenched and harmful practice that affects millions of girls and women worldwide, particularly in Africa. FGM has severe physical and emotional consequences, including immediate health risks, long-term complications, and psychological trauma. According to UNICEF, at least 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM, with…
In 2021, the Centre for Health Ethics Law and Development (CHELD) conducted a pivotal study to explore the role of men and boys in gender-based violence (GBV) interventions within Nigerian tertiary institutions. The research revealed a significant gap in the engagement strategies employed by Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs). Specifically, it highlighted that men and boys…
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) The destructive traditional practice known as female genital mutilation (FGM) involves the removal of the external female genitalia entirely or in part, along with other injuries to the female genital organs performed for non-medical reasons. Each country has its justifications for female genital mutilation (FGM) even though female genital mutilation (FGM)…
This year’s Orange the World theme highlights the need to continue to invest in the prevention of violence against women. At CHELD, we have worked most recently on engaging men and boys in this fight to eliminate violence against women and girls. This year we ask what men can do to prevent violence against women…
25th – 16th December every year is set aside by the United Nations as the ‘International Day for the Violence against Women and Girls’. Also known as ‘Orange the World,’ these 16 days of activism are set aside and recognised as a period to call on citizens, governments and civil societies to get involved and…
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a violation of the right to life, health and dignity of women and girls. Nigeria being a signatory to international human right treaties and conventions that prohibit such acts against women and girls has shown commitment to the elimination of FGM in Nigeria. An expression of this commitment is the…
Domestic violence and abuse is a silent killer that has taken the lives of many people in Nigeria, particularly women. Almost a third of all women in Nigeria, have experienced physical violence, mostly within their own homes. The Red Diary is a one-stop resource which provides information in a quick, easy to understand way to…
On this year’s International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to achieving gender equality in the health and development sectors. We stand with women and girls around the world and celebrate their incredible resilience and strength. This year’s theme, DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality, highlights the power of technology to accelerate progress towards…
For a long time, women and girls have been victims/survivors of gender-based Violence (GBV) who required protection, education, and empowerment to advocate for their human rights.[1] As a result, efforts to reduce GBV have been directed primarily toward women and girls. While this is still vital in the fight against GBV, there is an emerging need…