On Monday, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS demanded increased efforts to lessen violence against women and girls who are HIV-positive in the nation as well as gender inequity.

In a statement issued in advance of International Women’s Day in 2022, the organization made the request.

A remarkable global campaign for women’s rights, equality, and justice has culminated in this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, according to a statement partially signed by the NACA Head of Media and Protocols.

“A growing will for change has thrust poverty, sexual harassment, assault, and discrimination against women into the public eye and discourse.

This year’s International Women’s Day (IDW) theme, “Empowering Women in All Settings: Rural and Urban,” will offer a chance to turn this enthusiasm into action and honor the activists who are tirelessly fighting for gender equality for women so they can reach their full potential. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal of leaving no one behind, this tactic is equally crucial.

There is evidence that the majority of gender-related initiatives have been more successful in ending the intergenerational cycle of poverty—especially for underprivileged women and girls—than in advancing women’s economic empowerment through jobs or other sustainable livelihoods.

Sadly, most communities lack the resources necessary to support livelihood interventions and economic strengthening for impoverished people living with HIV, especially women whose primary responsibilities remain being wives, mothers, and homemakers while men are the primary decision-makers and earners of cash.

The connection between gender, social justice, and climate change is crucial, and we acknowledge that without gender equality now, a sustainable and equitable future is still unattainable.

“The 2022 IWD celebration provides the National Agency for the Control of AIDS another opportunity to reposition for change and to build on the previous achievements, with focus on awareness creation on the impact of HIV on indigent persons living with HIV particularly women and girls, while calling for greater gender equality and equity. Additionally, it gives the Agency a way to step up its efforts to put an end to the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

“Women must be empowered to transform their perceived weaknesses into opportunities if we are to break the cycle of poverty, diseases, and particularly reduce the HIV burden in Nigeria as much has been done to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV, but much more needs to be done to reduce gender inequality and violence that women and girls at risk of HIV often face,” said Gambo Aliyu, Director-General of NACA, according to a statement.