By Peter Duru, Makurdi

Lawyers Alert and the Media, Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria, MHR, have identified systemic inequalities, cultural norms, economic constraints, and policy gaps as factors obstructing women’s right to equitable healthcare services.

The findings was contained in the comprehensive situational analysis conducted under the Gender Equality Fund (GEF) project, which unearthed pressing gender-related barriers hindering
women’s access to healthcare services for Tuberculosis (TB), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and Malaria in Benue State.

Addressing the media on the findings, the President, Lawyers Alert, Dr. Rommy Mom expressed worry that Benue State had continued to record one of the highest HIV prevalence and Malaria related illnesses and deaths in the country.

Dr. Mom said the analysis identified critical policy gaps, gender disparities in healthcare access, and the urgent need for community-driven advocacy to address the challenges pointing out that “the findings emphasized the necessity of strengthening healthcare systems and enhancing community engagement to tackle stigma and discrimination.”

He disclosed that the key findings indicated that ” Benue State continues to struggle with a high prevalence of HIV (4.9 percent) and TB, with 10 percent of Nigeria’s TB cases reported in the state. Malaria remains endemic, particularly affecting children under five and pregnant women.”

Continuing, he said the findings discovered that “women in Benue State face significant challenges in accessing healthcare due to patriarchal norms, economic dependency, and cultural beliefs. Spousal consent requirements, stigma, and Gender-Based Violence, GBV, further exacerbate these challenges.

“Stigma and discrimination associated with TB and HIV discourage women from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment. Fear of social ostracism and blame for infecting spouses often leads to delayed care.

“Inadequate healthcare infrastructure, frequent stockouts of essential medications, and limited access to diagnostic tools hinder effective service delivery, particularly in rural areas. And traditional beliefs, such as attributing diseases to witchcraft, and reliance on native treatments delay access to modern healthcare services.”

To address these challenges the report recommended the strengthening of Gender-responsive Policies which requires implementation and enforcement of “policies that address the unique healthcare needs of women, including integrating reproductive health services with TB, HIV, and Malaria interventions.

“Empowerment of women-led organizations and community health champions to challenge harmful cultural norms and promote gender-sensitive healthcare. Engage men as allies in healthcare decision-making to dismantle patriarchal barriers and promote gender equality within households.

“And increase funding for healthcare facilities, ensure consistent availability of medications, and expand access to diagnostic tools, particularly in rural areas. And launch targeted campaigns to reduce stigma, dispel myths, and encourage early healthcare-seeking behaviour.”

Lawyers Alert and MHR also called on the Benue State Government, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and international partners to prioritize gender-transformative approaches in healthcare delivery noting that “by addressing the systemic and cultural barriers identified in this report, we can create a more equitable and resilient healthcare system that ensures no one is left behind.”