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By Amos Odeh, Yenagoa
The federal commissioner in charge of Bayelsa, at the National Population Commission (NPC), Mrs Gloria Izonfuo, has advocated the preservation of reproductive rights of the female gender.
Izonfuo said the World Population Day (WPD) is part of international awareness campaign that is celebrated annually on 11th of July every year.
She stated this on Friday, during a press briefing to mark the day in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital, with the theme: ‘Putting the Brakes on Covid-19: How to Safeguard the Health and Rights of Women and Girls Now.’
Izonfuo said: “The day gives us the opportunity to take stock of the state of the population, especially those often left behind, woman and children in particular and thereby determine the way forward in ensuring their fundamental human rights are upheld.
“The theme for this year’s population day couldn’t have come at a better time than now when the world is saddled the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic and its damning consequences especially on the women and girls.
“Like wildfire, Covid-19 has spread to all parts of the world, showing that ours is indeed a small world with little or no boundaries.
“As at July 11, 2020, there were over 12.6 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 with 564,485 deaths reported globally.
“In Nigeria, there were 31,987 confirmed cases, with 724 deaths; while in Bayelsa, there were 299 confirmed cases, with 18 deaths,” she said.
The federal commissioner, said Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected women and girls in Bayelsa in many ways because the pandemic led to a lockdown, which paralyzed economic activities in both formal and informal sectors.
She stated that the implementation of such paralysis included the loss or reduction of household incomes, government revenue and attendant ability to meet statutory responsibilities.
Related to the issue of poverty, the federal commissioner said the nutritional status of the woman, good nutrition is fundamental for good health of mother and child, as it’s among the causes of anemia, as it is a major concern among women.
In her words: “Covid-19 does not make it easy for women to access and utilize reproductive health facilities, especially as the logistics of getting to health facilities are negatively impacted.
“This situation could lead to higher maternal mortality rates in Bayelsa. Another likely effect of Covid-19 pandemic on women and girls in Bayelsa is on the delivery of contraceptives.
“The lockdown due to the pandemic has also made it impossible for schools to resume. In the absence of schooling, more girls are likely to drop out of school, and other consequences could include early marriage and high fertility, morbidity and maternal mortality, abortion or low self-esteem.
“Also the federal and state governments have initiated numerous programmes that can mitigate practices that negate the right of women and girls.
“For us in National Population Commission, we shall continue to pursue our mandate of generating demographic, health and socio-economic data for championing the course of women and girls,” he said.
She commended all donors, especially UNFPA and UNICEF for their technical and financial support over the years, and also appreciated all stakeholders in Bayelsa, including the press, for their unrelenting support in bringing to forefront the course of women and girls- equality human rights, and other related matters.
