The Yobe Family Planning Media Advocacy Team has issued a fervent call to action, emphasizing the urgent need for amplified engagement with a diverse spectrum of stakeholders to champion safe childbirth spacing practices within Yobe State. This call extends to traditional leaders, religious figures, community influencers, and other key actors whose influence can significantly impact the adoption of family planning methods and contribute to improved maternal and child health outcomes. The team leverages the 2025 theme of safe motherhood, advocating for sustained collaboration to eradicate preventable maternal deaths and prioritize the long-term well-being of women.
The team’s advocacy efforts have been significantly bolstered by strategic partnerships with national and international non-governmental organizations, notably The Challenge Initiative (TCI). This collaboration has catalyzed positive shifts in critical health indicators, encompassing family planning uptake, maternal health, neonatal health, and newborn health. The partnership has facilitated the availability of essential family planning consumables at healthcare facilities, integrated health talks into antenatal care services, extended medical outreach programs to underserved rural communities, and amplified media advocacy campaigns. These multifaceted interventions have collectively contributed to a more enabling environment for women to access and utilize family planning services.
A notable achievement stemming from the collaboration with TCI is the increased acceptability of family planning among rural women in Yobe State. This positive trend is attributed to the readily available family planning supplies at health centers, the integration of informative health talks during antenatal care visits, the proactive outreach by health personnel to remote communities, and the persistent efforts of media advocacy in raising awareness and dispelling misconceptions surrounding family planning. These combined efforts have contributed to empowering women with the knowledge and resources to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
In commemoration of Safe Motherhood Day, observed annually on April 11th, the Yobe Family Planning Media Advocacy Team commended the Yobe State Government for its demonstrable commitment to strengthening the primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare systems. These investments have created a more conducive environment for positive health indicators to flourish across the board. The team underscored the government’s partnership with TCI, which serves as a catalyst for accelerating positive health indicators in family planning and maternal health, ultimately contributing to a reduction in maternal mortality and improved health outcomes for women and children.
The observance of Safe Motherhood Day, an initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization, serves as a powerful reminder of the critical importance of ensuring women have access to the necessary care throughout their pregnancy and childbirth journey. This comprehensive care encompasses antenatal care, newborn care, postnatal care, intrapartum care, and crucial mental healthcare support. By prioritizing these essential services, we can empower women to experience safe and healthy pregnancies and deliveries, reducing the risk of complications and contributing to their overall well-being.
The Yobe Family Planning Media Advocacy Team’s call for increased engagement with stakeholders aligns with the broader global movement to prioritize safe motherhood and women’s health. By fostering collaboration and communication among traditional leaders, religious figures, community members, healthcare providers, and policymakers, we can create a supportive ecosystem that empowers women to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, access essential services, and experience safe and healthy pregnancies and childbirth. This collective effort is crucial for achieving sustainable improvements in maternal and child health outcomes and creating a healthier future for families in Yobe State and beyond.
