Community leadership and breaking down social barriers
The Nigeria Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV/AIDS (NINERELA+) has re-affirmed its commitment to the advancement of gender equality, reduction of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and meaningful male involvement in maternal and child health care services, through a strategic partnership with UN Women and other stakeholders in Benue State.
To address social-cultural barriers limiting access to healthcare services, NINERELA+ in collaboration with UN Women, Federal Ministry of Health, UNAIDS, APIN Public Health Initiatives, NACA and community stakeholders held a series of Social Norms Trainings in Makurdi, Benue State. The trainings gathered health workers, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community influencers to strengthen male engagement in Antenatal Care (ANC), Postnatal Care (PNC) and Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services.
The intervention was based on troubling findings presented by UN Women, which found that only 3.4 percent of men attend clinic visits with their partners and that male involvement in maternal healthcare remains very low in general. These realities remain a contributing factor to delayed health care seeking, poor maternal and child health outcomes, and increased vulnerability to HIV transmission.
NINERELA+ Leading Community-Led Change
NINERELA+ was a leader in mobilizing faith and traditional leaders as agents of change in their communities, recognizing the important role faith and traditional institutions play in shaping social norms and behaviors.
Amber Itohan, Executive Secretary of NINERELA+ said during the training on the importance of using the voices of traditional and religious leaders to promote positive social norms, address harmful gender stereotypes and encourage supportive family structures.
NINERELA+ also provided a platform for discussions on the role of traditional leadership in family health and how community leaders can help reduce stigma, promote equitable decision-making within families and encourage men’s active participation during pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care.
The organization also enabled conversations on institutionalizing male engagement in addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), noting that harmful gender norms often undermine women’s autonomy and access to critical healthcare services.
Men’s Role in Addressing Gender-Based Violence
Training pointed to the intersection of gender inequality, GBV and health outcomes. However, NINERELA+ stressed that meaningful engagement of men is not only about accompanying their spouses to health facilities but also involves promoting relationships based on respect, supporting women’s health decisions and challenging social norms that fuel discrimination and violence.
Participants were encouraged to become advocates for gender equality in their own communities by championing shared responsibility in family healthcare, supporting survivors of gender-based violence and creating safe spaces for women to access health services without fear, stigma or restrictions.
NINERELA+ used practical discussions and community-based strategies to demonstrate how faith leaders, traditional rulers and community influencers can use their platforms to dispel myths and misconceptions around male involvement in maternal health and promote healthy family practices.
Collaborating for More Resilient Communities
The training emphasized the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration for improving maternal and child health outcomes. NINERELA+ teamed up with UN Women, APIN Public Health Initiatives, NACA, UNAIDS and government stakeholders to provide participants with the knowledge and tools to spearhead sustainable behavioural change at the community level.
The participants were encouraged to replicate the lessons learned in their various communities, faith institutions, traditional councils, women groups and youth networks. The cascading approach is anticipated to improve community ownership and increase awareness about the benefits of male involvement in ANC, PNC, PMTCT and GBV prevention activities.
Next Steps
NINERELA+ continues to build inclusive communities where men and women work together to improve family health outcomes, end HIV-related stigma and prevent Gender-Based Violence.
The organization mobilizes influential community leaders and social norms change agents to help sustain a future in which women access health services with safety and confidence, men are champions of maternal and child health, and communities work together to improve the health of mothers, children and families in Nigeria.
NINERELA+ will continue to advocate for transformative action through partnerships, community mobilization and advocacy to improve access to health care, gender equality and the national response to HIV and AIDS.
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