Ministries of health in Africa are ministries of diseases, says Dr Specioza Kazibwe, Former Vice President of Uganda

Dr Specioza Kazibwe, an Ugandan Surgeon and politician, recently described ministries of health in Africa as ministries of diseases. She made this statement during the #GlobalPower Women Network Africa High Level Meeting that took place in Abuja, Nigeria, last week.

The UNAIDS supported event, which was themed, "Accelerating the implementation of the global and regional commitments for Women and Girls, Gender Equality and HIV/AIDS in Africa; and the adoption of post-2015 priorities," had in attendance Presidents, Ministers, female leaders, policy makers, advocates and other stakeholders in the civil society and business sector.

In accelerating strategies on how to improve women and girls' health, we need to better engage better engage policy markers and address the condition of health system in Africa, Mrs Kazibwe said. In her opinion, there are no health systems in Africa.

"We have ministries of health but they are not ministries of health. They are ministries of diseases. What they are doing is (to talk to the issues of) building hospitals and clinics, almost beckoning our people to fall sick. We should be talking about health and health is made in the home.  That is where we should go for personal emancipation, economic emancipation, physical emancipation so that we are able to address the issue of promotion and prevention…"

Dr Kazibwe said promotion and prevention does not need money. She highlighted her experience in fostering health issues in Uganda. She also noted that leaders' unwillingness to build on foundation of initiatives limits continuity and sustainability of intervention programmes.

To ensure the implementation of strategies to improve the lives of women and girls, Kazibwe says policy makers and stakeholders should move things forward by addressing the issues of identity, policy, use of technology and next level of engagement.

On Identity, Dr Kazibwe says it is important for African women to know who they are. It is very important to have a clear sense of self-awareness and appreciation for the African culture to be able to move things forward. Know who you are, she says.

And she practised what she preached when she spent the first couple of minutes of her presentation talking about herself- her identity.

Dr Kazibwe served as vice president of Uganda between 1994 and 2003. She is the first woman in Africa to be appointed at an executive position of vice president. She has been in politics for the past 26 years serving at both local and national level- 3 times vice president of Uganda.

Looking at the issue of policies, Dr Kazibwe buttressed the need for women leaders and CSOs to do more research that can influence policy makers.  She commended Mrs. Hana Oye Lithur, the Minister of Gender, Ghana, for sharing a well researched presentation she made earlier.

On political empowerment, the surgeon cum politician says political empowerment or women participant in politics is not about numbers of women in cabinet or the numbers of women in parliament.

"I can attest to that because I have been there for many years," she said.

Kazibwe said from her experience, some women in politics are reluctant to be associated with issues that concern women and girls. "Among those many women, there are those that think they are too good to be associated with the women's cause," she said.

Dr Kazibwe is optimistic that things can change. She suggested that those women who "ostracize" themselves from women issues should be engaged and synthesized because many of them have never been to women's forum before. When they begin to understand these issues firsthand, they'll be willing to get involved.

The politician did not miss out in reminding everyone on the importance of embracing technology to foster positive change.

"We are in a world where technology is doing a lot…sometimes when we speak, we forget that world has changed… we should use technology more…" She also advocated for more women to use the technology that has been proven to be of benefit to all.

The former Uganda Vice President wrapped up her presentation with a call for more action, echoing the words of Joyce Bada, the President of Malawi.

The next level of engagement is at the community level. We have talked enough, Dr Kazibwe said.

Watch the Video:



Also published by HeathNewsNg.com: http://www.healthnewsng.com/2013/07/ministries-of-health-in-africa-are.html

The Reporter
Jennifer Ehidiamen is a 2013 IRP New Media Fellow for International Reporting Project (IRP). She is reporting on issues of global health and development in Nigeria. More info: www.internationalreportingproject.org

Empowering Women is Key to Ending Poverty in our Society

The National Bureau of Statistics in 2010 revealed that 60.9% of Nigerians were living in "absolute poverty" - this figure had risen from 54.7% in 2004. The bureau further predicted a continued rise in the trend.

One of the most successful strategies that have been applied over the years to alleviate poverty and curb unemployment worldwide is skill acquisition. A lot of women have become productive, better mothers, and supportive wives as a result of learning skills such as tailoring, bead making, catering, etc. Girls have gotten off the streets, and even young men have been empowered through skill acquisition.

The Rubies School of Women Empowerment, an initiative of Pink Pearl Foundation was created to further empower women and help them become productive members of the society. "Absolute poverty is measured by the number of people who can afford only the bare essentials of shelter, food and clothing. It is a known fact that the bulk of those who are affected by poverty in our society are women" says the founder of Pink Pearl, Mrs Orode Ryan Okpu.

Through skill acquisition programs, the Rubies School of Women Empowerment is helping to reduce poverty and unemployment in our society.  The first session of the Rubies school of women empowerment trained 105 women in different skills such as industrial production of soaps, body care products, tailoring, bead making, wire works, catering, and a general business management course. The women were allowed to choose the skill they wanted to learn, and professionals who have distinguished careers in the various skills facilitated the training and tested the women; equipping them with the requisite skill for starting their own businesses.

An exhibition by its first set of trainees will be held at the Cenotaph, Asaba, Delta State on 4th and 5th July 2013. The graduation ceremony will hold on the 6th of July, 2013. The exhibitions will witness the women showcase the various craft they learnt. As the first set of students of the school graduate, they are all going to be given support to enable them launch their own businesses.

Day 2: Accelerating Commitment and Action to Tackle Issues that Affect Women and Girls in Africa #GlobalPower

The President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, while giving her remark during the first day of the #GlobalPower Women Network had recommended that women every where take up the responsibility of ensuring the achievement of goals set to accelerate actions on issues affecting women and girls.

Gender Inequality as driver of HIV 
The second day of the High Level Meeting was spent in plenary sessions focusing on different topics that project the interwoven issues around the theme.

Mrs Litha Muyimi-Oganda, Director Gender in African Union made a presentation on “Gender Inequality as a driver of HIV.” Honorable Xindiww Dlamini, the minister of Housing and Urban Development, Swaziland, while speaking on Sexual and Gender-based violence highlighted the trend of inter-generational sexual relationship, where young girls engage in sexual relationship with older men for material gain. This culture as well as early exposure to sex, eroding family values and the rest of them, is driving the spread of HIV and AIDS, she said. But she is optimistic that continuing focus on empowering girls and deepening the importance of family values can reverse the trend.

When girls are given economic empowerment, the Swaziland minister says, they would not need to use intergenerational sexual exploits as a means of escaping poverty.

Sexual and Gender-based violence
The topic, violence in conflict and post conflict situations, brought to light the reality of war and the impact it has on women and girls. It is more dangerous to be a woman in a war torn zone than to be a soldier, says Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura, the UNSG on Sexual Violence in Conflict. No doubt, sexual violence against women and girls undermine the development of any society. A generation of women and girls that are abused and trampled upon will definitely find it difficult to maximize their potential. As a result, the society misses out of benefiting from their contributions and innovations.

In a feedback, Mrs Angele Dikongue-Atongana, UNHCR Nigeria revealed to the attentive audience that nearly half of refugees in Africa are women and girls, One-fourth of refugees and one-third of internally displaced persons are found in Sub-Saharan Africa. The risk of sexual violence is drastically increased in conflict and displacement settings. She recommended that life-saving interventions should be increased with priority on humanitarian emergency. She also advocated for increased in allocation of resources. She gave a call to action- that Security Council resolution recognizes persons fleeing from sexual violence as eligible for refugee status. What do you think about that?

Socio-economic empowerment of women and girls
Beyond what the society can do for women and girls, what are women doing for themselves?

Prof Edna Matthews-Njoku, Director Women Development and Gender Studies, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, in her presentation buttressed the need for women to offer help to other young women through counselling, mentorship, and other intervention. She said most girls who are capable do not have an enabling environment.

Mrs Njoku said most evil actions against women are perpetrated by other women. She gave examples of different social stigmatization of women done by other women. The first that comes to my mind at this point is PHD syndrome- women who Pull Her Down. That means, women who out of envy, jealousy or simply lack of faith in other women do all they can to pull them down. We can’t accelerate change if we remain this way.

Meanwhile, to accelerate the changes we seek, we must work with women at the grassroots. In as much as we advocate for women-friendly government legislations, Mrs Njoku urge women to take action to the grassroots and champion practical solutions to the problems we face. But first, we must be empowered with the right information- an informed woman is an empowered woman, she says.

The onus lies on us to support each other to be the change we want to see in our world.

Political empowerment of women and girls
Dame Virginia Etiaba gave a narrative of her involvement in Nigeria politics while serving as then Anambra state governor. It is possible for women to take on leadership position and thrive but first they need to be empowered and given the space to practice such leadership.

Empower our women politically, says Etiaba, Nigeria’s first female governor. If we won’t get to leadership position, then what are we here for?

The sessions continued with presentation of country case studies on game changing approaches to addressing Gender-Based violence, communiqué drafting, award presentation and a closing ceremony dinner where the new President of GPWNA, Professor Viola Onwuliri, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs was appointed, taking over from Thokozani Khube, the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe.

Photo Speaks

GPWNA Day 2

Opeyemi, Gabriel, Grace & I at the HLM Day 2

Dame Virginia Etiaba, former governor of Anambra state & Nigeria's first female governor

Ethiopia's first lady and Dr. Ndidi Oparaoji co-chairing the session

Hon Nana Oye Lithur, Minister of Gender, Ghana

Rev Sr Angela Abhulimen, SSH and Lady Christie Uche, President, FFVHOE

what are women doing to support themselves? He asked

Dr Specioza Kazibwe, Former Vice President of Uganda

 

Hon Xindiwe Dlamini, Minister of Housing and Urban Dev. Swaziland, sharing her views with me on intergenerational sexual relationship and what is being done to curb the trend

UNAIDS team

Professor Viola Onwuliri, Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs appointed, taking over from Thokozani Khube, the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. 

Some youths making positive change

Will Nigerians Read Books On Mobile Phones?

The reading culture of Nigerians has been on a steady decline for some time now. The decline can be attributed to many factors from a tough economy to a general lack of reading interest in the younger generation. Some have even gone as far as blaming the poor reading culture on mobile devices.

Now there is a new app called okadabooks that is putting Nigerian books on mobile phones in a bid to get people to read on phones. The app has a diverse collection of books from Nigerian authors and even past WAEC/JAMB questions with answers.

This all sounds like a good idea, but the question is will Nigerians actually read and buy books on their phone and will students actually study with their phones. Check out the app at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.okadabooks and let us know what you think about it and the Nigerian reading culture in general.

Submit a Video for ILO Youth Contest

The ILO has launched the Youth Employment Video Contest: Youth labour migration “Reaping the benefits, minimizing the risks” Are you working to promote decent work for young migrants? Then submit a video!

 Don’t have a camera? Use your phone! The video is your opportunity to show how YOU make a difference in the lives of young migrants. Let’s give a voice to young migrants! You’ve got up to 5 minutes to tell us how you make a difference!

 To enter: upload your video on Youtube and send the link to the Knowledge Management Facility on Youth Employment and Migration at the ILO’s Youth Employment Programme:ilogeneva@gmail.com by 22 July 2013.

 The video that shows the best results of activities promoting decent work for young migrants will be selected.

The winner will be invited to present their initiative at a panel discussion during the celebrations of the International Youth Day in New York, 12 August 2013. For details on how to participate please go to: www.ilo.org/yep

 Source: World Assembly of Youth (WAY)

 

Become Today’s Change Agent @LeapAfrica

Opportunity for young people Age 15 - 25:

Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa is a nonprofit organization, which is committed to developing dynamic, innovative and principled African leaders. Given our conviction that young people can and should serve as change agents in their communities, LEAP offers its Summer Youth Leadership Programme for young people across Nigeria to increase their capacity to transform their communities.

About the Summer Youth Programme
LEAP's Youth Leadership Programme is modeled after international best practices and emerging lessons from Ford Foundation's youth leadership efforts across the globe.

The objectives of the leadership programme are to:

- Support youth through the process of "looking within" to take stock of their current skills, talents and inclinations as well as their dreams and visions for the future.

- Expose youth to the concept of leadership, and offer them some tools and skills for effective leadership.

- Encourage youth to commence change projects in their communities in order to test and apply what they have learnt through the training programmes, as well as to improve the lives of others.

Programme cost: N25,000
Date: July 22 – July 26, 2013
Venue: LEAP Africa's Office Lekki Lagos (full address stated below)

The programme cost covers programme materials, light refreshment and lunch for five (5) days. Also, participants get a certificate of participation upon programme completion.

Topics Description
Programme topics include:
The Act and Art of Leadership, Developing your Life's Mission and Vision, Goal Setting, the Tower Game, the Trust Walk, Leadership for Change, Building Self Confidence, Creativity, Patriotism/Social Responsibility, Time Management, Networking, Negotiations, Communications and Moral Ethics. LEAP utilizes case studies, games, interactive exercises and multimedia to enhance the life and leadership skills of its youth.

Target Participants
Youth between the ages of 15 and 25 who are passionate about community service and have a strong commitment to developing their leadership skills.

Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Ukwori via email at uejibe@leapafrica.org or call 234-1-270-6541/2. You could also call by LEAP Africa's office at - 13 Omorinre Johnson Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Accelerating Commitment and Action to Tackle Issues that Affect Women and Girls in Africa #GlobalPower

Today in Africa, women in power have considered it important to synergize and address issues affecting women and girls in Africa, said Professor Viola Onwuliri, during her opening remark. Professor Onwuliri is Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs and soon to be president of GlobalPower Women Network Africa GPWNA.

Here is a reminder of why this matters.

There are about 23.5 million people living with HIV in sub-saharan Africa. Less than 30% of young women have a clear understanding of what HIV is all about. Of 287,000 maternal deaths, 162,000 occurred in African region in 2010. We have 1 female condom for every 10 women in Africa. African women constitute 58% of all people living with HIV. And the list goes on and on.

From the statistics above, albeit somewhat startling, one can deduce the urgent need to accelerate the implementation of the global and regional commitments for women and girls, gender equality and HIV/AIDS in Africa; and the adoption of post-2015 priorities in the region.

What does it really mean to accelerate actions needed to improve women and girls’ health and well being in Africa? Of what relevance is it to our society? I’ll be speaking with some leaders/key players at the on-going GlobalPower Women Network Africa HLM to get their views.

But first, here is a summary of how the opening ceremony went today.

Like I captured in an earlier post, the 2nd GPWNA HLM kicked off today in Abuja. The event had in attendance President Goodluck Jonathan, Africa’s leading female presidents of Malawi and Liberia, Joyce Banda and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; GPWNA executives, including the president of the network, Hon. Thokozani Khupe, the deputy prime minister of Zimbabwe; representatives of UN agencies including the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibe; representatives from the AU, ECOWAS, Ministers and other representatives from all sectors of the African region. Trust me, the room was loaded with leaders from Ethiopia to Zambia to other countries.



The purpose of the gathering was to deliberate and identify best strategies in tackling the issues affecting women and girls, gender equality and HIV/AIDS and other reproductive health and rights issues. In addition, mobilize support and commitment from government leaders and other stakeholders to actualise the implementation of the global and regional commitment as well as the adoption of post 2015 priorities and recommendations for an accelerated action on treaties/declarations.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf during her speech noted the remarkable improvement on the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“HIV is no longer a death sentence,” the President of Liberia said.

But she pointed out that there is still a lot of work to be done. She advocates for a global focus on ending violence against women. She also raised the need for women and girls to be given a voice in the society through economic participation.

Sirleaf says achieving MDG 2 will prevent all other forms of violence against women and girls. When women have access to basic education, they are able to venture out to be economically independent and with that comes the will power to protect themselves and their family members from all forms of oppression and suppression.

To achieve this, we need the full commitment of women leaders everywhere.

“It is up to us women everywhere to become the advocates, promoters and facilitators to ensure these goals are implemented…the time is now…!” said Sirleaf.

While giving her opening statement, the outgoing president of GPWNA, Thokozani Khube, the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, said that the objective of GPWNA is to advance innovative game changing approaches that positively impact the lives of women and girls.

She said that women do not have the full enjoyment of their freedom. She points out the importance of womanhood to our society through the acronym WOMAN - Workers, Organizers, Managers, Advisers, Nation-builders.

Women ministers should ensure women interests are promoted and protected. She openly recommended that President Goodluck Jonathan ensure GPWNA is included in the agenda of African Union.

Africans often look outside for solutions to local challenges. To effect the kind of changes we want, we need to quit looking out. We want to ensure our voices are heard. Humanitarians won’t develop our continent. Empowering women will, the deputy Prime Minister noted.

But GPWNA is not all talk. “Transform your signature into action,” Khube says to the leaders and stakeholders.

We want to see action.

Women are leaders in their own right.

Michel Sidibe, the UNAIDS Executive Director described the HLM as a timely meeting. He also said Africa is making progress. According to him, almost Eight million people have access to treatment in Africa. There is reduction in AIDS related death and a record of decline in new infection.

Sidibe punctuates the good records with a startling comment: “But we are failing women in our continent.”

For this reason, Sidibe suggests GPWNA go beyond just being a platform to becoming a movement in order to reverse the negative trend of the impact of HIV/AIDS.

Young girls between 18-24 do not have access to information on how they can protect themselves. They need education and economic empowerment.

Gender inequality, exclusion are not just numbers or statistics, Sidibe noted. Every woman and girl must get the opportunity that ensures their lives are protected and are able to grow and contribute to development.

To end AIDS we need to end gender inequality.

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala inaugurated GPWNA in Zimbabwe for the first time when it was launched.

During her remark today, she reaffirmed the need to keep promoting gender equality and women empowerment and rights.

Of the 34million living with HIV in the world, about 69% live in Africa. Women comprise 50% of those infected with HIV. Young women 15-24years represent those most susceptible to HIV infection.

“For women to succeed, we have to leverage men. Be we have to properly select those who we leverage so they don’t deleverage us (when they get there),” Okonjo-Iweala said.

Nigeria’s Finance Minister ends her remark quoting Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black President:

“It is important that government structures understand that true freedom and prosperity cannot be achieved unless …we see in visible and practical terms that the condition of women in our country has radically changed for the better, and that they have been empowered in all spheres of life as equal.”

In Malawi, over half of the population are tested and know their HIV status, the President of Malawi, Joyce Bada, revealed today during her goodwill message.

Africa needs to pay greater attention to girl education and promote activities that will economically empower women. Income generation is critical for women, she said.

She gave her submissions, as follows:

Africa also needs to open space for women to get into leadership position. Political will is important in addressing issues that affect women and girls. It depends on who is on the seat of power. The more women, the more chances of promoting women interest.

Traditional and cultural beliefs that are harmful should be eradicated. To achieve this, there is need to engage traditional leaders in all efforts at the grassroots.

There is need to invigorate women movement in Africa. Women should stand united and speak with one voice. And most importantly, keep government leaders accountable.

It is also important to promote inclusive action and engage different groups of women. And of course, male involvement cannot be pushed aside. There is need for women and men to work together.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in his address said creativity, hardwork etc is not the exclusive right of any sex. He urged nations, communities, individuals etc to encourage the education of the girl-child.

“Remove structural barriers militating against the women,” he said.

In Africa, to fight AIDS, we must also fight poverty, President Goodluck said. Education is the most powerful tool to fight poverty.

President Goodluck was during the event described as one the most gender-friendly president. (Or was he the most?). He was awarded by the GPWNA for his continuous support in promoting women empowerment and participation in leadership position.

The business of all talk and no action will not accelerate the implementation of any strategy.

In the words of the President of Malawi, Joyce Banda, HIV and AIDS still wear the face of women and girls. To eradicate this challenge,  all we need is to take more action. I agree.


Photo Speak:

Olayide Akanni, Executive Director of Journalists Against AIDS (JAAIDS) Nigeria

Youth Delegates at GPWNA

HLM Presidents and Executives 

First Lady, Ethiopia

Mrs Virginia Etiaba, first female governor in Nigeria (Gov of Anambra state 2006-2007)

Claris Ojwong, Chairperson, Pan Africa Positive Women's Coalition Kenya, and Noreen Huni, Executive Director REPSSI South Africa (R-L)