Abuja: The Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASWHAN) has called for sustained efforts to reach women, children, and other marginalized groups with essential HIV services to reduce the epidemic’s impact. Mrs. Esther Hindi, National Coordinator of ASWHAN, made the appeal in Abuja at the close-out and report dissemination meeting of the Last Half Mile Grants Project tagged ‘Children of Structurally Silenced Women.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting was organized in partnership with Love Alliance, with funding from the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+). Hindi explained that the project aimed to empower women and teenage mothers living with HIV to become advocates for their own health and rights. This was achieved through targeted capacity-building sessions and by expanding access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission services in four states: Kebbi, Nasarawa, Delta, and Oyo.
Hindi emphasized that too many women and children affected by HIV remain invisible in policy, underserved in healthcare, and silenced in society. She noted that the project has not only advanced access to essential HIV services but also ignited a movement, demonstrating that when women living with HIV are equipped, supported, and heard, they become powerful agents of change. She reiterated ASWHAN’s commitment to ensuring that no woman or child is left behind and to transforming structural silence into collective voice, visibility, and justice. Hindi appreciated the project’s funders and partners, highlighting that the Last Mile Grant, an innovative funding mechanism by Love Alliance, enabled deep community engagement, lifting many from ‘silence to strength.’
Ms. Funmi Adesanya, Senior Health Assistance Coordinator at the U.S. Department of State, reaffirmed their commitment to support efforts aimed at curbing HIV in Nigeria. Represented by Dr. Margaret Shelleng, Global Fund Self-Reliance and Multilateral Advisor at the U.S. Department of State, Adesanya stated that the initiative had brought hope to marginalized communities by showing that communities and partners can work hand-in-hand to break barriers.
Isah Vatsa, Consultant at the Centre for Well-being and Integrated Nutrition Solutions (C-WINS), stressed the importance of linking HIV-positive individuals to health services and protection measures. He urged ASWHAN to encourage its members to vaccinate their children during the upcoming Measles-Rubella campaign, targeting children aged nine months to 14 years, warning that people living with HIV are highly vulnerable to the Measles-Rubella virus, which can be fatal and cause serious complications.
Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), represented by Ronke Adekoye, stated that NACA is working closely with partners to ensure that by 2027, no child is born with HIV in Nigeria.