To encourage more women to participate in the provision of health services, the government of Canada has pledged $3 million to the Bauchi State Government. This information was shared by Mr. Tushar Rane, Head of the UNICEF field office in Bauchi, at a recent meeting between the state governor, Mr. Bala Mohammed, and a joint team from UNICEF and Global Affairs Canada. He explained that the funding was intended to give women more say in the provision of healthcare services and in reaping the benefits of those services.
UNICEF is carrying out this project as part of the collaboration established under the MoU, and the Government of Canada has provided UNICEF with all of the resources it requires to carry out this project. He explained that they would be working through the Primary Healthcare Development Agency of Bauchi State and other partner organizations in the MoU, and so they are making progress in all 323 wards of the state to empower women for their involvement in health service delivery. This is being done in an effort to improve the quality of healthcare in the state.
The collaboration will improve women’s participation in health care.
Speaking on the same, Mrs. Djifa Ahado, the Head of Development and Cooperation at the Canadian High Commission in Nigeria, described the partnership between the state government and the Canadian government as one of the best collaborations ever. She went on to say that they are looking forward to seeing more collaborations in the future. They have high expectations that the government will keep moving forward with the many various projects that are ongoing in the area.
Furthermore, Gov. Mohammed expressed his appreciation to Global Affairs Canada for the successful interventions they had provided in the state. He added to the list of interventions the Youth Entrepreneurship and Women Empowerment in Northern Nigeria program that was being carried out in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN). According to him, the initiative is currently being carried out in the Local Government areas of Bauchi, Dass, Toro, Ganjuwa, Warji, Katagum, and Jama’are in the state.
Women’s workforce in the healthcare industry faces structural challenges.
It is generally acknowledged worldwide that the full participation of women as healthcare providers is essential to achieving favorable outcomes at all levels, including within the healthcare system, to meet universal healthcare coverage and sustainable development goals (SDGs) by the year 2030. On the other hand, women in the workforce of the global healthcare industry face structural challenges, gender prejudices, and disparities. Fragile and conflict-affected states or countries face additional pressures requiring special attention to address obstacles and imbalances to achieve sustainable development.
As a result, it is essential to be aware of the effect that gender has on the proportion of people who participate in the labour force. There is an essential necessity for a workforce that is composed of an equal number of men and women, as well as for the increasing representation of women at all levels, including decision-making levels. When compared to men, who make up the majority of the healthcare workforce, women’s employment tends to be concentrated in lower-level and lower-paying professions such as nursing and midwifery.
The project will improve the overall business environment.
Over 16,000 people, primarily women and young people are being directly supported and targeted by the projects, which are working to improve opportunities for small-scale enterprises and entrepreneurs. The Governor explained that the project’s objective was to improve the overall business environment and establish a mindset of savings for women and youth in the state by increasing the efficiency of the agricultural value chain. He reassured the public of the government’s commitment to upholding its end of all agreements.
Related Link
Federal Ministry of Health: Website
