IGUOBAZUWA (OVIA) – A Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) under the aegis of Sophia Nadia Foundation (SNF), has advised women/young girls in Edo State on the need to adopt healthy lifestyles in order for them to prevent been infected with diseases, live better and longer life.
The Chief Executive Officer of SNF, Sophia Toyin Arowosegbe , noted this during a One-Day female health and awareness sensitisation programme, organised by SNF in Iguobazuwa Town, Ovia South-west Local Government Area of Edo State recently.
Arowosegbe, said that the foundation is aimed at empowering the girl Child , sensitising and enlightening them on the need to live healthy lifestyle as well as the adverse effects of some hair and skin products the people used through it campaign and awareness programme.
The 400- Level Law student of University of Benin disclosed that estimated 627,000 women died from breast cancer, which according to her accounted for 15% of all cancer deaths among women in 2018.
“Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer deaths among women, impacting 2.1million each year. According to National breast cancer foundation, this year, an estimated 41,760 women are expected to die of breast cancer”, she said.
She stated further that unsafe abortion is responsible for significant proportion of maternal deaths globally, adding that about 70,000 women dies yearly owing to complications from unsafe abortion.
According to her, 3 out 4 abortions that occurred in Africa and Latin America are unsafe as the risk of dying from the unsafe act is high in Africa, just as she added that about 7million women are admitted in the hospital globally as a result
of unsafe abortion.
Speaking on the issue of rape, the CEO of the foundation averred that estimated 35% of women, ladies and young girls have experienced either physical or sexual violence at a point in their lives.
She said: “Evidence shows that women who have experienced sexual violence report higher rates of depression, having an abortion and acquiring HIV.
“An estimate of over 10,000 women are been raped in Nigeria daily.
“This is why we at Sophia Nadia Foundation have taken this crucial step to ensure that our women, ladies and young girls do not become victims of breast cancer, abortion, rape, and infection especially in a time like this where COVID-19 is ravaging the world.
” Personal hygiene is the only way to fight this pandemic and this why we partnered with 7up bottling company.
Sophia Arowosegbe, however, assured SNF would continue to champion and advocate for healthy lifestyle among young girls and women in the state.
Talking points of the awareness programme were lectures delivered by Dr. Timothy Osemwegie, Dr. Egharevba Elizabeth and Barr. Charity Agbunase, just as certificates were presented to the participants by the organisers at the end of the ceremony.
