According to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), six out of ten individuals living with HIV in the country are females. As the agency observes this year’s International Women’s Day, it underscores that young women face three times the risk of life-threatening health complications compared to men in the same age bracket.
NACA Director-General (DG), Gambo Aliyu, emphasized the relevance of this year’s theme, “Invest in women, accelerate progress,” to the agency’s mission of advancing gender equality and addressing the specific challenges confronting women with HIV/AIDS.
Aliyu highlighted the disparity, stating, “Young women in Nigeria are three times more likely to be living with HIV than men.” With six out of ten HIV cases among females, Aliyu emphasized the imperative of prioritizing investments in women.
He remarked, “Investing in women is not just a financial commitment; it’s an investment in the sustainable progress of our societies.”