Reproductive health covers your body’s health when you plan to have babies or stay healthy during your growing years. In Nigeria, people between the ages of 15 and 49 need these services. This age group makes up half of all Nigerians.
Current Numbers in Nigeria
Nigeria has more than 140 million people. The country faces big challenges in providing good reproductive health care.
The average Nigerian woman has 6 children in her lifetime. For every 100,000 babies born alive, 545 mothers die. Only 13 out of 100 women use birth control. About 4 out of 100 people have HIV.
These numbers show progress. But more work needs to happen. Visit genderpedia.ng/shop for detailed research and resources.
Laws That Protect Your Reproductive Health
The Federal Ministry of Health created rules to help give reproductive health services across Nigeria. The country has different types of laws. These include government laws, traditional community laws, and religious laws.
Many of these laws do not fully support your reproductive health rights. Some laws are old. They do not match what you need today. This makes it hard for you to get all the reproductive health care you deserve.
Health Policies in Nigeria
Nigeria has created many policy documents to improve reproductive health.
The National Health Policy from 1998 says primary health care is the most important way to help you stay healthy. This means your neighborhood health center should be the first place you go for care.
The National Policy on Population for Development came out in 1988. The Maternal and Child Health Policy from 1994 focuses on keeping mothers and babies healthy.
Nigeria created the National Adolescent Health Policy in 1995. This policy helps young people get health information and services. The National Policy on HIV/AIDS/STI Control started in 1997. The National Policy on the Elimination of Genital Mutilation began in 1998 to protect girls and women.
The Revised National Health Policy from 2004 brought these ideas together.
Where You Get Reproductive Health Services
Sexual and reproductive health services are available at different levels of care in Nigeria.
Tertiary hospitals are big teaching hospitals in cities. Secondary hospitals are general hospitals in towns. Primary health centers are small clinics in neighborhoods and villages.
All people in Nigeria get reproductive health services. This includes men and women, young people, and old people.
Problems That Stop You From Getting Care
Many things make it hard for you to get reproductive health services.
Gender roles mean men and women have different levels of power in making health decisions. Often, you need permission from men to make your own health choices.
Not enough money goes to reproductive health programs. Clinics do not have enough supplies or workers.
Social taboos make you feel ashamed to talk about reproductive health. Many communities have rules about what you discuss.
Religious factors affect your reproductive health access. Some religious teachings do not support certain types of care.
Lack of proper infrastructure means many areas do not have clinics or roads to reach them. You do not know what services exist because of a lack of information.
The COVID-19 pandemic made these problems worse. Clinics had to close or change how they worked. Birth control supplies ran out. Health workers had to focus on COVID-19 patients instead of reproductive health. Resources that normally went to women’s health were used for other needs.
Abortion Laws in Nigeria
Nigerian law makes abortion illegal in most situations. Sections 228, 229, and 230 of the Nigerian Criminal Code only allow abortion when your life is in danger.
Because of these strict laws, many women go to people who are not trained doctors. These unsafe abortions happen in dangerous conditions. Women get sick or die from unsafe abortions.
Laws About Sexual Violence
The criminal law of Nigeria does not fully protect you against sexual violence in your home. If your husband forces you to have sexual relations, the law does not consider this a crime. Forced sexual relations within marriage are accepted in many communities. Husbands do not get arrested or punished for sexual violence at home.
This gap in the law leaves many women without legal protection.
HIV/AIDS Protection Laws
The Federal Government of Nigeria created an AIDS policy in 2003. This policy says your human rights must be respected if you live with AIDS. The policy also protects your family if you have AIDS or other sexually transmitted infections.
You cannot be treated unfairly in any health care facility if you live with HIV/AIDS. Discrimination is not allowed in public or private facilities. This law helps you get medical care without fear.
What the Nigerian Constitution Says
The Nigerian Constitution does not clearly state that you have sexual and reproductive health rights. Section 17 of the Constitution tells the government to provide adequate medical and health facilities for all persons.
Your reproductive health rights are understood from this constitutional provision. The government should make sure you have access to health services, including reproductive health care.
Maternal Health Crisis in Nigeria
Nigeria ranks among the top six countries in the world for maternal deaths. More than half of all maternal deaths globally happen in just six countries. Nigeria is one of them.
Maternal health problems continue in Nigeria even though the government has tried different strategies. These strategies include encouraging you to give birth in hospitals instead of at home. The government has trained more health workers and deployed them to different areas. Too many mothers still die.
Medical conditions cause some maternal deaths. Social, economic, and cultural factors also play a big role. Among the Ibani people of Rivers State, certain cultural beliefs affect how you access maternal health care. Traditional practices sometimes prevent you from seeking modern medical help.
You face more risks during pregnancy and childbirth if you are poor. You have less access to hospitals and trained health workers if you live in rural areas. There are special dangers if you are a young girl who becomes pregnant because your body is not ready for childbirth.
Gender researchers and health professionals continue to study these issues. Visit genderpedia.ng/shop to access research on maternal health and gender issues in Nigeria.
The Role of Gender in Reproductive Health
Gender inequality affects your reproductive health in many ways. In Nigerian society, men often make decisions about family planning and childbirth. People might want to use birth control, but their husband does not allow it. You need medical care, but you must wait for male family members to give permission.
You receive less education about your body if you are a girl. This lack of information puts you at risk for early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Cultural practices sometimes value boys more than girls. This affects how your family invests in your health.
Gender researchers work to understand these patterns. They study how gender roles impact your health outcomes. They look for ways to change harmful practices and promote equality.
Moving Forward: What Nigeria Needs
Nigeria needs to strengthen its reproductive health system in several ways.
More funding must go to reproductive health programs. Clinics need supplies, equipment, and trained workers. Rural areas need better access to services.
Laws need to change to better protect your reproductive health rights. The constitution should clearly state that you have the right to reproductive health care. Laws against sexual violence should cover all situations, including violence in marriage. Abortion laws should consider more than saving your life.
Education programs should teach you about reproductive health from a young age. Both boys and girls need accurate information about their bodies. Communities need to discuss reproductive health openly without shame or taboo.
Health workers need ongoing training to provide quality care. They should learn about new medical techniques. They should learn how to treat you with respect. Cultural sensitivity training helps health workers serve diverse communities better.
Gender equality must improve for your reproductive health to improve. You need the power to make decisions about your own body. Girls need equal access to education and health information. Men and boys should learn to support their reproductive health rights.
Final Thoughts
Reproductive health in Nigeria faces many challenges. Inadequate funding, cultural barriers, and legal gaps block your access to care. The country has made policy efforts, but implementation remains weak.
Maternal mortality stays high. Access to reproductive health services is limited if you are poor or live in rural areas. Gender inequality continues to prevent you from making informed decisions about your health.
For gender researchers and health professionals seeking deeper insights, resources, and current data, they are available at genderpedia.ng/shop.
Improving reproductive health in Nigeria requires combined efforts. Policy reform, increased funding, community education, and gender equality initiatives must work together.
