By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Niger State Chapter, in partnership w...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Niger State Chapter, in partnership with the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) under the NGO Support Initiative (NSI) and supported by the Ford Foundation, has successfully concluded a one-day training on HIV/AIDS Gender Sensitivity and Intersectionality for Ward Development Committee (WDC) members.
The training, held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at Dogon Koli Hotel in Minna, aimed to empower community leaders to curb the spread of HIV and reduce stigma through inclusive and gender-responsive health practices.
This programme marks the reactivation of an initiative previously supported under the USAID ACE-4 Project, which was abruptly terminated earlier this year. With support from the dRPC NSI grant, FOMWAN has been able to sustain the project, directly addressing the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls in Niger State—particularly in the LGAs of Kontagora, Wushishi, Lapai, Paikoro, Munya, and Shiroro, from which participants were drawn.
Hajiya Kulu Abdullahi, Amirah of FOMWAN Niger State, described the training as “a testament to our commitment to a holistic approach to health and social justice.” She added:
“HIV is a manageable condition, not a death sentence. Our goal is to equip our WDC members to serve as beacons of hope and knowledge, challenging misconceptions and building a community where no woman or girl is left behind due to stigma, discrimination, or lack of access to care.”
The sessions were led by health and development experts. Dr. Michael Onyilo, National HIV Clinical Mentor at the Niger State Agency for the Control of AIDS (NGSACA), facilitated a session on Understanding HIV/AIDS Basics and Dispelling Myths. He demystified the virus, clarified its transmission, and debunked misconceptions that fuel stigma.
Lilian Ibeh of the International Budget Partnership (IBP) introduced the concept of intersectionality, explaining how factors such as age, marital status, and economic status can compound a woman’s vulnerability and create barriers to healthcare access. She also guided discussions on identifying and addressing HIV-related stigma, equipping WDC members with strategies to navigate cultural and religious barriers to services.
Participants engaged in interactive exercises designed to encourage empathy and challenge pre-existing biases. The training concluded with a post-test to measure knowledge gains and understanding.
FOMWAN expressed confidence that the initiative will strengthen community-level HIV programming and foster a more supportive environment for vulnerable populations in Niger State.
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