The meeting, held on September 2, 2024, at the Ministry of Women Affairs in Abuja, provided an opportunity for Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, to brief the President of ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, on new strategies to ensure the prudent use of funds donated by ECOWAS to Nigeria for treating and rehabilitating women suffering from obstetric fistula.
Mrs. Kennedy-Ohanenye highlighted that funds donated by ECOWAS have not had an appreciable impact on women due to a significant amount being channeled into training doctors, sensitization programs, and workshops instead of patient treatment.
Reaffirming her commitment to a new approach, she said the Ministry of Women Affairs has collaborated with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health to ensure that most donor funds and grants are spent on actual patient treatment while the Ministry of Health will handle doctor training.
Mrs. Kennedy-Ohanenye sought cooperation from Dr. Touray to ensure effective utilization of funds donated for treating obstetric fistula and empowering women.
Responding to the Minister, Dr. Touray welcomed an approach prioritizing patient treatment and rehabilitation. He noted this is the type of collaboration the commission seeks from member states.
He further stated that the commission is prepared to consider suggestions from the Minister and would adjust its programs accordingly as this would significantly impact beneficiaries' lives.
On December 7th , 2023, ECOWAS through its Gender Development Centre issued a $245,000 grant to Nigeria and seven other member states to treat fistula victims marking a significant step in addressing women's health challenges in the subregion.
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