IWD 2026: AHF Nigeria urges stronger support and opportunities for women, girls

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

As the world marks the 2026
International Women’s Day (IWD), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has called for concrete action to provide women and young girls with the opportunities and support they deserve.
AHF Nigeria Country Program Director (CPD), Dr.

Echey Ijezie, in a statement signed by the Marketing and Advocacy Manager, Steve Aborishade, said the organisation stands in solidarity with women and girls across the world, celebrating their achievements while advocating action to break down barriers to health, equality and opportunity.
He noted that AHF Nigeria is joining the global movement demanding an end to the inequalities that continue to hold women and girls back, with activities to commemorate IWD on March 9 across all AHF Nigeria states, including Abuja-FCT, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Kogi and Nasarawa.
According to him, when women thrive, everyone benefits. Despite decades of progress, women and girls remain disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where they account for more than 60 per cent of new HIV infections.
He added that globally, gender-based violence, limited access to healthcare, restrictions on reproductive rights, income inequality and inadequate educational opportunities continue to deepen disparities affecting women and girls.
He also observed that access to affordable menstrual health products and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education remains out of reach for millions, undermining dignity, mobility and opportunities for many young girls.
He reminded leaders, policymakers and communities that when individuals, organisations and societies give women and girls the opportunities and support they deserve, the entire community prospers.
To mark IWD 2026, AHF Nigeria will organise a Continuous Medical Education (CME) programme for health workers in more than 156 healthcare facilities where AHF provides services across its seven operational states in Nigeria. The training will focus on the gendered dimensions of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and strategies to help women, particularly those in rural communities, improve their wellbeing and livelihoods.
Ijezie said, “AHF Nigeria places enormous value on women and girls in society, which is why many of our programmes are designed to impact women and young girls.
“We will continue to prioritise issues affecting women as we call on leaders, policymakers and communities to translate their commitments into concrete action that will accelerate development for women and young girls.”
He further pledged that AHF will continue to champion the rights and wellbeing of women and girls through advocacy for supportive policies, distribution of free menstrual health products, efforts to combat gender-based violence and expanded access to HIV/AIDS services to ensure every woman and girl can live a healthy and empowered life.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organisation providing advanced medical care and advocacy to more than 2.8 million people in 50 countries across Africa, the Americas, the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.