Cervical Cancer: Women Affairs Ministry, PPFN Charge Benue LG First Ladies on Awareness Creation, Community-Based Outreach

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN), Benue State Association, has charged wives of Local Government Chairmen in the state to lead awareness creation and education on cervical cancer and birth registration at the grassroots level, in order to empower women to make informed decisions about their health and families.

The charge was given during an engagement meeting with the First Ladies of the 23 Local Government Areas of Benue State, held in Makurdi, the state capital.
The meeting, themed “Empowering First Ladies, Strengthening Maternal and Reproductive Health in Benue State,” provided a platform for education on cervical cancer, its impact on the general population, digital birth registration, as well as the national action plan on women, peace and security.
Welcoming the First Ladies, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Ikwue, described them as role models and voices of compassion, noting that their responsibilities place them at the heart of family life, community development and social transformation. She emphasized that their involvement in maternal, neonatal and reproductive health initiatives is critical.
Mrs Ikwue urged the First Ladies to engage directly with women at the grassroots, listen to their concerns, amplify their voices and support community-based outreach, health education and awareness programmes.
She also called on them to advocate for policies and practices that protect the health, dignity and rights of women and children, expand access to quality healthcare and family planning, and ultimately reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates across the Local Government Areas.
Speaking on behalf of PPFN, the Clinical Officer, Ms Celine Ingbian, described the organisation as a national healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Nigeria. Founded in 1958, she said PPFN was established in response to pressing reproductive health challenges such as unwanted pregnancies, child abandonment and unsafe abortion, adding that these concerns informed the decision to work closely with wives of Local Government Chairmen to tackle the issues at the grassroots.
According to her, PPFN operates in line with the International Planned Parenthood Federation accreditation standards through a democratic and devolved governance structure, with a focus on promoting integrated health services that directly impact poor and vulnerable groups, particularly women, adolescents, children, key populations and persons living with disabilities.
Earlier, while presenting an overview of cervical cancer and its impact on the general population, the Coordinator of Maternal and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, Mr Aondowase Apinega, attributed the major cause of cervical cancer to long-term untreated Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 infections. He noted that about 20 per cent of related deaths are preventable through routine immunisation, especially among adolescents aged nine to fourteen.
Mr Apinega identified risk factors for cervical cancer to include early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, high parity, HIV and other immune suppressors, smoking and poor socioeconomic status. He charged the Local Government First Ladies to organise awareness campaigns, support access to treatment and parental care for adolescent girls aged nine to fourteen, promote HPV vaccination, and establish screening centres where women can be regularly checked and treated early if the disease is detected at stage one.
Responding on behalf of the First Ladies, the wife of the Kwande Local Government Chairman and WALGON Chairperson, Mrs Sandra Neji, expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Women Affairs and PPFN, and pledged the support of the First Ladies to policies and initiatives aimed at improving the wellbeing of women at the grassroots.
She commended the Commissioner, Mrs Theresa Ikwue, for involving wives of Local Government Chairmen, whom she said were better positioned to interface with women at the grassroots, expressing optimism that the set objectives would be achieved.
Also speaking, the wives of the Vandeikya and Katsina-Ala Local Government Chairmen, Mrs Phelomena Guda and Mrs Mercy Shaaku, respectively, pledged to prioritise the welfare of women and adolescent girls in their areas.
Earlier, the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs Magdalene Andor, called for collective action on issues affecting women, warning that failure by relevant stakeholders to address them collaboratively could hinder societal growth.
Similarly, the Adult Volunteer Chairperson of PPFN, Mrs Sarah Ingbian, urged the First Ladies to join PPFN as volunteers to enable them to provide the needed support for women and girls within their communities.