Women
Reducing Maternal Mortality
Gynaecologists and other stakeholders are worried about the high maternal mortality rate associated with unsafe abortions.
They say that if people embrace the use of contraceptives and other modern family planning methods, the rate will decrease.
Instances abound of couples that continue to have children against their wishes, just because they do not know how to apply any of the modern family planning methods which have proved to be efficacious with correct and consistent use, over time.
A study commissioned by Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetrics of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Health shows that 20,000 women die from unsafe abortions in Nigeria annually.
The World Health Organisation defines unsafe abortion as a “procedure for terminating an unintended pregnancy either by individuals without the necessary skills or in an environment that does not conform to minimum medical standards.’’
The world body also notes that “an estimated 200 million couples in developing countries would like to delay or stop childbearing, but are not using any method of contraception. ’’
Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Development Board (PHCDB), notes that it is globally acknowledged that family planning contributes to reducing maternal mortality.
He says that increase in contraceptive use will improve the health status of women by giving them the chance to plan when they want to get pregnant.
“Family planning reduces the need for unsafe abortion, family planning reinforces people’s rights to determine the number and spacing of their children, it is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility
“Family planning delays underage pregnancies, decreases the risk of health problems and death from early childbearing, and reduces maternal mortality. ’’
Also voicing his concern, the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, says family planning practice is a veritable strategy of curtailing maternal and child mortality in the country.
Dr Ukaire Binyerm, a gynaecologist, says it is wise for women to adhere to child spacing to avoid being anaemic.
“Child spacing is very good, we advise that at least a two-year gap is good, because the woman’s body needs time to recover.
“This is a woman who has gone through the stress of pregnancy, lost some blood, has been breast feeding, stressed at home, and some even start going to work. It takes a lot both physically, emotionally and otherwise.
“We find out that in Nigeria, most women don’t space their children enough and they would not have rebuilt their iron deficiency, so many of them become anaemic, ’’ resulting in reduced immune system which exposes many of them to infections.
“The blood level is already low and that is not favourable at all for a pregnant woman, because anaemia in pregnancy has its own complications, including abortion and several other things. ’’
Binyerm stresses that family planning is vital for every family, as it reduces maternal mortality.
Mrs Fatimah Bamidele, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health says that not all the six million babies delivered annually are intentional, adding that if women have access to contraceptives, unplanned pregnancies which result to life-threatening abortions will reduce drastically.
However, the 2008 National Demographic Health Survey puts the utilisation of family planning in terms of contraceptive prevalence at 10 per cent, while unmet need is 20 per cent.
To beef up access to contraceptives, the Federal Ministry of Health has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to obtain $3 million worth of contraceptives.
Although the UNFPA Resident Representative, Dr Agather Lawson lauds the effort, she says such should be sustained through regular budget provisions.
This is because Nigeria’s population, at about 170 million, is the sixth most populous country in the world and with a fast growth rate.
“The implications of the present rate of growth are frightening and necessary measures should be put in place, as demand for public services doubles every 20 years to 23 years. ’’
She adds that the Department For International Development (DFID) has provided a grant of 18 million pounds sterling to Nigeria to purchase contraceptives for six years, while the Canadian International Development Agency has also provided $5 million dedicated to the purchase of contraceptive for five years.
While government and international agencies have shown commitment in concrete terms to the reproductive health of the citizens, couples, especially husbands, should encourage family planning practices, according to Dr Braimah Gyang, another gynaecologist.
He says that religion or tradition should not stand in the way of family planning practices, since there are also natural methods.
“What is paramount is for every family to have the number of children it can cater for, to secure the health of mother and child and in the interest of the nation,” he adds.
Angbazo writes for News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Anna Angbazo
IVY-K Fashion by Igiebor Daddy Lucky, a Nigerian-born designer now based in the UK, has launched the latest menswear line, Dapper Man.
One of the collection’s strengths is its classic, clean aesthetic. Dapper Man delivers sharp, structured suits in a timeless black and white color scheme that exudes a sense of luxury and professionalism. The use of high-quality fabrics like wool and silk ensures that the suits not only look high-end but also feel luxurious to the wearer. The designer’s focus on detail is evident in the meticulous tailoring, with fitted blazers and crisp trousers forming the foundation of the collection.
Where IVY-K Fashion shines is in the subtle yet elegant touches. The inclusion of beads as embellishments on lapels and cuffs adds a unique flair, blending traditional craft with modern tailoring. This nod to African heritage gives the collection a distinct identity, offering something more personal and culturally significant than your standard menswear line.
However, despite the elegance of the Dapper Man collection, there is a lingering sense of missed opportunity. The black-and-white color palette, while classic, feels overly safe. In a fashion landscape where bold colors and daring patterns often make the strongest impact, the collection could benefit from incorporating more vibrant hues or experimenting with unconventional fabrics. Pushing the envelope with color or texture could elevate these designs from simply elegant to truly memorable.
In addition, while the tailoring of the blazers and trousers is immaculate, the collection lacks a sense of playfulness or modern edge that many contemporary menswear lines are embracing. The suits are undoubtedly stylish, but the collection as a whole leans heavily on tradition. Experimenting with asymmetrical cuts, bold patterns, or even layering could add an exciting dimension to Dapper Man. The challenge is to maintain the sleek sophistication of the collection while infusing it with a fresh, innovative spirit.
Another area that could use improvement is the overall cohesion of the collection. While the suits are well-crafted, there is a feeling of repetition across the pieces. More variation in design, such as different lapel styles, pocket configurations, or even bolder accessories, would give the collection greater diversity and visual interest.
In conclusion, Dapper Man by Igiebor Daddy Lucky showcases the designer’s strong grasp of classic tailoring and elegant design, but to truly capture the attention of a broader audience, IVY-K Fashion would benefit from more daring choices. By infusing the collection with bold colors, unexpected textures, and a more modern edge, Dapper Man could move from a well-crafted line to a trendsetting force in men’s fashion. With such a solid foundation, there’s no doubt that Igiebor Daddy Lucky has the potential to lead his brand toward greater heights
The trend of indecent dressing all in the name of fashion is fast becoming a norm in our generation and society at large. Most married women embrace this fashion as competition with single ladies.
Different scholars have given an in depth insight about dressing as a tool of communication. Non-verbal communication has been asserted as the communication between people by the means of signs or symbols. It conveys what we wish to disseminate to the public as either intentionally or not.
According to Paul Ekman and Michael Argyle, communication is carried out through what has been classified as “Presentational Code”. He listed nine codes of non-verbal communication, as body contact, facial expression, gestures, postures, eye movement, proximity, orientation, head nods and appearance.
This, being stated, married and single ladies should understand that their mode of dressing is communicative be it directly or indirectly as such body parts we call “private” are now being made public because of the trends or wearing of transparent dresses and this in turn calls on the attention of men who are weak and prone to illicit thoughts thus, resulting to most rape cases in our society.
This indecent dressing by most ladies has denied many their future husbands. The truth is that a man is attracted to his kind; his desires in marriage. It is often asserted that decency and beauty are in the eyes of the beholder, yet, in trending times of this 21st century, dress code and fashion in nudity form is gaining popularity.
This has become complicated as most men tend to toggle between their emotions (lust) and sanity (rationality) in terms of marriage, thereby setting a wrong foundation upon which most marriages are consummated.
On the other hand, most married women have embraced the trend of indecent dressing nipping it on the state of it being the choice dressing, approved by their spouses, leaving society with the question of what “responsible” man would prefer that the secrecy of the benefit of his marital vow has become the centre of attraction and viewership by the general public.
Hence, communicating with their dressing gas given licence to every male gender who is interested or attracted to what they see to make unsolicited sexual passes at them, which might be considered embarrassing.
At this juncture, it is important to state that ladies should dress decently knowing that they are the epitome of nation-building, they are nation-builders, character moulders and pacesetters not just in the lives of their families but to the society at large.
In most occasions, there are no clear border lines between the married women and the single ladies because of the rate of scanty dressing which has close the gap of differences.
Women and girls should embrace this call awakening to decent mode of dressing. Dresses that are meant to be worn indoors should remain indoors.
It is worrisome to see ladies wear shorts that are supposed to be worn in the living room on the streets without shame. This is an awakening call to our ladies, married and singles that the opposite sex do not expose their private body parts for the public. Sometimes, the ladies go about in the streets without wearing brazziers as to showcase their nipples.
The society should be sanitised of the menace of indecent dressing that is lurking and taking over the entire nooks and crannies of the society and the nation at large.
Let it be known that he or she is addressed in the manner he or she is dressed. There may be no room for a second impression. To the single ladies, your dressing decently will not stop you from meeting your Mr Right rather, it will increase your stake and place you on the list of most valued women in the society.
Dressing speaks louder than words.
Kate Chisom Isiocha
Isiocha is an OND final year student of Temple Gate Polytechnic.
