NDDC Backs International Women’s Day, highlighting Gender Equality, Women's Well-being in the Niger Delta

The International Women’s Day celebration was held today, 22nd August 2024 in Calabar, Cross River State, organized by the Adanne Eneka Empowerment Initiative and supported by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The event, which took place in the state capital, focused on women’s health, empowerment, and the significance of International Women’s Day in society.

The representative of the organizing NGO delivered a warm welcome address, emphasizing the importance of women’s empowerment and the role of the organization in driving positive change in the community. The representative also noted that this programme is being conducted across all nine states of the Niger Delta, underscoring the regional commitment to improving the lives of women throughout the area. He also reminded attendees that International Women’s Day is globally recognized on March 8th each year, marking a day dedicated to celebrating women's achievements and advocating for gender equality.

In his presentation, speaking on behalf of Dr Patricia Ojekwe, highlighted the essence of the International Women’s Day celebration. He spoke passionately about the progress made towards gender equality and the work still required to achieve true parity. He urged the women to continue advocating for women's rights and to take active roles in their communities to ensure these rights are respected and upheld.

One of the event's key segments was a presentation on women’s health by Dr. Effioanwan Archibong, a physician in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. She provided an in-depth look at the many health challenges faced by women, particularly in the Niger Delta region. Dr. Archibong’s presentation addressed several critical issues, including the life expectancy of women in West Africa, the prevalence of heart conditions, and the importance of early detection and treatment of cancers, such as cervical and breast cancer. She stressed that many health conditions remain undiagnosed in women, leading to preventable complications and even death.

Dr. Archibong also emphasized the need to prioritize women's health, particularly focusing on non-communicable diseases like hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. She discussed reproductive health issues, including contraception, abortion, mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, and other critical issues like menopause, violence against women, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnancy-related disorders, and arthritis. Additionally, Dr Archibong highlighted the importance of regular medical checks, such as pap smears for cervical cancer, monitoring sugar and cholesterol levels, testing for STDs like HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea, and eye exams for conditions like glaucoma. 

She further stressed the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, not only for its benefits to infants but also for reducing the risk of breast cancer in women. Maintaining a healthy weight to prevent obesity, which is linked to numerous health issues, was another key point of her presentation. Dr. Archibong encouraged the women to adopt a lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, stress management, and avoiding harmful habits such as alcohol and tobacco consumption.

The event also included a session of entertainment, which provided a lighter note to the day’s serious discussions. Attendees participated in health checks conducted by medical personnel, who measured blood pressure, glucose levels, pulse, heart rate, and oxygen levels. This service was a vital addition, offering immediate health insights to the women present.

In his closing remarks, Chief Dr. Daniel Ajunwa, the Cross River State NDDC Director, applauded the efforts of the organizers and the participating women. He urged women to utilize the information gathered from the health presentations and apply it to their daily lives to improve their health outcomes. Chief Dr. Ajunwa also thanked the speakers for their informative sessions and acknowledged the significance of the lecture series in this year’s celebration.

Hon. Orok Duke, the CRS NDDC Representative, was actively involved in mobilizing women across the state to participate in the event. He stressed the importance of taking advantage of such opportunities to learn about maintaining women's health and ensuring that this knowledge is passed on to others in their communities. His efforts played a crucial role in ensuring a large turnout and engagement from women across the state.

The day concluded on a high note, filled with education, empowerment, and community support, all aimed at enhancing the lives of women in Cross River State and beyond.