The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Kano State Chapter has called on stakeholders to prioritize women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ward Development Committee (WDC) structures.
This call was on Thursday during a stakeholder engagement with WDCs, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board (SPHCMB) and other health stakeholders in the State.
A Ward Development Committee (WDC) is a community-based governance structure responsible for overseeing local development initiatives and primary healthcare services at the ward level.
The engagement which took place at City center hotel, Farm center, was supported by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) and PHCMB aimed to amend WDC structures to mandate a minimum of 40% women’s representation.
It also sought to ensure the inclusion of PWDs in leadership roles, and establish clear tenure provisions for members.
The Kano State Amira of FOMWAN, Habiba Abubakar Mijinyawa, said the goal is to ensure that women’s voices are no longer overlooked in the health system.
“We don’t just want women to be members of the WDC. We want them in leadership positions where their voices will be heard and respected.” she said.
She emphasized that women are the primary users of primary healthcare facilities and understand the daily challenges more than anyone else.
“Women are the mothers. If they don’t take themselves to the health facility, they will take their children. That is why their voices must be part of decision-making,” she said.
She explained that women with special needs also face unique barriers that only they can properly highlight.
“A hearing impaired woman needs an interpreter. A woman who is blind needs a guide. A pregnant woman who cannot walk without assistance needs support.
“If these women are not represented, no one will speak for them,” she added.
Salisu Yusuf a health consultant said the revised guideline addresses major gaps found in the earlier version.
“In the old guideline, there was no mention of women’s leadership, youth participation, or persons with disabilities. These were serious gaps,” he said.
According to him, the new guideline now includes 40% representation for women, inclusion of PWDs, a youth component, and a clear tenure system for WDC members.
Yusuf stressed that women’s presence in leadership will expose hidden issues in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH).
He added that the reviewed guideline will help reduce preventable maternal and child health challenges at the community level.
Chairperson of the Gender and Disability Inclusion Advocacy Center, Rabi Yusuf, said including PWDs in WDC leadership is essential.
“If a person with disability is not part of the committee, you cannot know their needs,” she said.
She noted that many facilities lack ramps, accessible toilets, sign language services, and other essential tools.
“Normal people may not understand what a person with disability needs in a facility. But if a PWD is included, he or she will speak out for the entire community,” she said.
Radbi confirmed that plans are underway to mobilize PWD representatives across 12 LGAs for inclusion in WDC structures.
