By Muhammad Amaan
A global non-profit organisation, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria, has urged policymakers, leaders, and communities to prioritise policies and initiatives that protect and uplift women and girls worldwide.
AHF Nigeria Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Mr Steve Aborisade, made the call in a statement on Thursday in Lokoja, as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 10.
He stressed the need for leaders at all levels to turn commitments into action, emphasising that a just and equitable world would only be possible when women and girls could claim their full rights, power, and potential.
He restated AHF’s commitment to standing in solidarity with women and girls worldwide, celebrating their achievements while championing action to break down barriers to health, equality, and opportunity.
“This year, AHF Nigeria joins the global movement to demand an end to the inequities that hold women and girls back.
“With IWD on March 10, AHF Nigeria is reminding everyone that when women and girls thrive, so do entire communities,” Aborisade said.
He highlighted that, in spite of decades of progress, women and girls remained disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where they accounted for more than 60 per cent of new HIV infections.
“Globally, gender-based violence, lack of access to healthcare, reproductive rights restrictions, income inequality, and limited educational opportunities further entrench disparities.
“Access to affordable menstrual health products and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education also remain out of reach for millions, compromising dignity, mobility, and opportunity,” he added.
The statement also quoted Dr Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director (CPD), who said, “At AHF Nigeria, our desire is to continue uplifting, empowering, and advocating for a world where every woman has the chance to live healthily and prosper.”
“Eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS is an important step to empower and uplift not just women, but families as a unit.”
On her part, Loretta Wong, AHF Deputy Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy, said, “Women and girls everywhere deserved the power, knowledge, and resources to take control of their health, futures, and lives.
“Real change requires more than words, it demands concrete commitments, including expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment, sexual and reproductive healthcare services, and economic empowerment.”
Mr Aborisade reaffirmed AHF’s commitment to ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind as the world celebrates IWD 2025.
He assured that AHF would continue to prioritise women and girls by advocating for policies that protect and uplift them worldwide.
“AHF is dedicated to ensuring every woman and girl can lead a healthy, empowered life.
“For IWD 2025, AHF Nigeria will host a forum bringing together women from the Benue State Government Mentor Mothers’ programme and mentor mothers from across AHF facilities in the Makurdi axis.
“The event will include young women and girls from AHF Nigeria’s community Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) cohorts and female members of the Community Advocacy Club from Adaka and Agwan Jukun, Makurdi, Benue State.”
AHF is a global non-profit organisation providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 2.2 million people in 48 countries worldwide across Africa, the Americas, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Europe.
