The Faith and Cultural Champions of Al-Manar Women Association (AMWA) have intensified advocacy for improved antenatal care (ANC...
The sensitisation programme, held at Irshadin Nisa'i Limancin Iya in Anguwan Juma Ward, Zaria, brought together married adolescent girls and young women, their husbands and mothers-in-law.
The engagement focused on strengthening communication among couples on the importance of antenatal care and facility delivery, while encouraging families to make informed decisions on maternal and newborn health.
Speaking during the Sensitazation programme, the facilitator, Metro Safiya Magaji Ishak, emphasised the importance of regular antenatal visits and delivery at health facilities, where skilled health personnel can provide appropriate care and respond promptly to pregnancy-related complications.
She urged husbands to provide emotional, practical and financial support to their wives throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
According to her, delivering at a health facility gives women access to skilled healthcare providers and timely intervention in the event of complications, thereby helping to protect the lives of mothers and newborns.
Magaji Ishak also stressed the importance of postnatal care, urging families to ensure that mothers and newborn babies receive appropriate healthcare after delivery.
She said mothers-in-law were also sensitised on emerging trends and challenges associated with pregnancy, as well as their important role in supporting pregnant women to seek timely and appropriate healthcare.
The facilitator explained that the engagement was designed to promote shared decision-making within families and address social and cultural factors that may discourage women from accessing antenatal and delivery services.
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Magaji Ishak urged the participants to apply the knowledge gained during the session and share accurate maternal health information with their families and communities.
The programme featured a lecture on antenatal care and facility delivery, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants sought clarification on various issues relating to pregnancy and childbirth.
The programme forms part of AMWA and its partners’ efforts to strengthen community awareness and promote healthier maternal and newborn outcomes among women and girls.
Therefore , Faith and Cultural Champions Project leverages the influence of faith leaders, traditional rulers, community gatekeepers, husbands, mothers-in-law and other key influencers to promote positive health-
seeking behaviour and social change.
IFCC expressed appreciation to the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) for its technical support and for bringing the Faith and Cultural Champions Project to Kaduna State, thereby helping communities access life-saving health information and promote healthier families.
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