Posted on: Thu 17-10-2013

MEDICAL WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

COMMUNIQUE

ISSUED AT THE 18TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE MEDICAL WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA HELD AT LE MERIDEN IBOM HOTEL AND GOLF RESORT, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE, FROM 19^TH TO 21^ST SEPTEMBER, 2013.

The Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN) held a three-day Biennial conference I and scientific meeting for female Medical and Dental Practitioners nationwide. The theme of the conference was the "Girl Child: Reaching out and raising opportunities for health, empowerment and education". The sub--themes were: -MDG 3: How far Nigeria? Violence against women and girls; Reproductive health rights; and Skin health of Nigerian girls and women.Neglect, abuse and violence directed at women and female children are steadily increasing and our national media has repeatedly captured the situation. There are increasing reports of exposure of women and female children to various forms of physical, sexual, emotional and mental abuse.This endangers and undermines the girl child, reduces her ability to reach her potential and inadvertently negatively impacts on the nation's developmentThe goal of this conference was to highlight the various forms of neglect and abuse, report the prevalence and incidence as observed by members, and sensitize members and all others in attendance, on the increasing menace and the need to urgently arrest the situation.MWAN has decided to spearhead the cause for the fight against child marriage, protection of the female children and women in general.Four hundred and two people attended the Conference, including 172 members from 15 States of the country. Two past officials of Medical Women's International Association (MWIA) were also in attendance; Dr.Petronilla NgiIoi the Immediate Past Vice President fur Near East andAfrican Region from Tanzania, and Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, Immediate Past Chair of Finance Committee from Nigeria.The Chairman, Senate Committee on Women and Youth Affairs, Senator Helen Esuene chaired the opening ceremony. The First Lady of Nigeria, Her Excellency Dame Dr, Patience Goodluck Jonathan was represented by Mrs Osinachi Chukwu, wife of the Hon. Minister of Health. The  Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Godswin Akpabio _CON,was represented by Her Honour, the Deputy 'Governor, Noble Lady Valerie EbeThe Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Christain Onyebuchi Chukwu: the First Lady of Akwa Thorn State, Her Excellency Mrs Ekaete Unoma Akpabio were represented. In attendance were the guest lecturers Prof Nnenna Oti, Chairperson FUTO Gender Policy Committee the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr.Emem Abasi Bassey, Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Glory Edet Retired and serving Pennanent secretaries in Akwa Ibom State government, Chief Medical Director, UUTH Prof. Etete Peters, Prof. Oyin Elebute, Chairman Board of Trustee, Dame Ebi Okara, many past Presidents of MW AN, retired professors of medicine, Chairmen of Local  Government councils, and many top government functionaries.The conference appreciated Chief Dr. Godswill Akpabio - led administration of Akwa Ibom State government for passing the Child Right Act and the government support for the hosting of the conference,The meeting also acknowledged and commended some States of the federation for their child Friendly programmes especially with respect to the girl child.

However, the following observations were made:

. On this International Day of Peace, 2Jst September 2013, MWAN notes with concern the increasing number of girls and women who suffer violence as a result of violent conflict

. There is an increasing incidence of domestic and intimate partner violence against women and the girl child.

. There is inadequate Reproductive health Information given to the female adolescent, leading to high rates of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

. There is disparity between levels of education of female children and their male counterparts

. Qualitative health services available to the girl child are grossly inadequate, and often inaccessible.

. Legislation is poor at implementation of policies aimed at protecting the female child and women in Nigeria.

. The knowledge and uptake of female cancer screening services is low, and majority of those identified at screening cannot afford further management, thus leading to unacceptably high cancer related morbidity and mortality in women.

. Inadequate health services are provided to women in our prisons.

MWAN recommends:

. That the recently launched National Action Plan (NAP) on United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 be fully implemented at State level to ensure reduction of violence against women and girls and to ensure their full participation in peace processes.

. Government should enforce the legislation that protects women and the female child from physical, sexual and mental abuse.

. Government should establish Youth friendly centers, at the ward level, to offer health information and services that are free, available and accessible.

. There should be legislation to ensure free and compulsory education for every girl child and Family Life education should be incorporated in schools curriculum from the Primary level education.

. Child marriage should be outlawed.

. Government should include HPV vaccine in the National Immunization Programme and establish free treatment centers for Cancer breast and cervix.

. The Government should improve medical services in Nigerian prisons.

MWAN should be appointed as the coordinating body for National Screening Programme for female health issues in Nigeria.

Signed

Dr. Princess Campbell

_{National President (2011-2013)}

Dr. Efunsola Sowemimo

_{National Coordinator(2011-2013)}

Dr. Uwemdimbuk Ekanem

_{Chairperson Scientific Committee}

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