How Niger’s Traditional Leaders are Promoting Maternal Health

Chief Yahya Louche of Bande, a village in Niger, addresses his constituents about maternal health and the importance of involving men. Credit: Joan Erakit/IPSBy Joan ErakitBANDE, Niger, Sep 11 2014 (IPS)It is a long, 14-hour drive from Niger’s capital city Niamey to the village of Bande. And the ride is a dreary one as the roadside is bare. The occasional, lone goat herder is spotted every few kilometres and the sightings become a cause of both confusion and excitement since there aren’t any trees, or watering holes in sight.Dry, hot and often plagued with sandstorms, Niger has a population of over 17.2 million, 80 percent of which live in rural areas. Insecurity, drought and trans-border issues contribute to this West African nation’s fragility where 50 percent of its citizens have access to health services.IPS has travelled here with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to visit a school that — on a continent where male involvement in maternal health is not the norm and, in fact, men are oftentimes not present during the duration of the pregnancy or the birthing process due to cultural reasons — is pretty unique. It’s the School of Husbands.Formed with support from UNFPA in 2011, the school has over 137 locations in Niger’s southern region of Zinder. Members are married men between the ages of 25 and 50, but young boys are now being recruited to come and sit in on meetings — to learn from their elders.As IPS arrives at the village early one morning,...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Africa Aid Countdown to ZERO Development & Aid Editors' Choice Featured Gender Headlines Health Population Poverty & MDGs Regional Categories TerraViva United Nations Women's Health Niger School of Husbands United Nations P Source Type: news