IWD 2025: AHF Urges Action To Empower Women, Girls

In commemoration of the International Women’s Day 2025, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has joined the global movement to demand an end to the inequities holding women and girls back, adding that when women and girls thrive, so do entire communities.

The Foundation says it stands in solidarity with women and girls worldwide, celebrating their achievements while championing action to break down barriers to health, equality, and opportunity.

In a press release made available to LEADERSHIP, the Foundation said despite decades of progress, women and girls remain disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where they account for more than 60% of new HIV infections.

“Globally, gender-based violence, lack of access to healthcare, reproductive rights restrictions, income inequality, and limited educational opportunities further entrench disparities. Access to affordable menstrual health products and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education also remain out of reach for millions, compromising dignity, mobility, and opportunity.

In marking IWD 2025, AHF Nigeria revealed it will be hosting a forum that brings together women from Benue state government Mentor Mothers’ program and mentor mothers from across AHF facilities in the Makurdi axis, including young women and girls from AHF Nigeria community Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) cohorts and female members of the Community Advocacy Club from Adaka and Agwan Jukun, Makurdi, Benue state.

 The forum will examine the impact and efforts of mentor mothers while looking at ways at which they can also entrench age-appropriate sexuality education in their various communities. The forum is also an opportunity to celebrate the exceptional champions at the forefront of eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Echey Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director (CPD) in the statement said, ‘‘At AHF Nigeria, our desire is that we continue to uplift, empower, and advocate for a world where every woman has the chance to live healthy and prosper. Eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS is an important step to empower and uplift not just the women, but the family as a unit.’’

Also, Loretta Wong, AHF Deputy Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy maintained that, “Women and girls everywhere deserve the power, knowledge, and resources to take control of their health, futures, and lives. Real change requires more than words—it demands concrete commitments, including expanding access to HIV prevention and treatment, sexual and reproductive healthcare services, and economic empowerment. On this International Women’s Day, AHF reaffirms its promise to ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.”

AHF continues prioritizing women and girls by advocating for policies that protect and uplift them worldwide. From distributing free menstrual products and combating gender-based violence to expanding access to HIV/AIDS services, AHF is dedicated to ensuring every woman and girl can lead a healthy, empowered life.

The Foundation urged leaders, policymakers, and communities to turn commitments into action—adding that a just and equitable world is only possible when women and girls everywhere can claim their full rights, power, and potential.

Joining AHF Nigeria to commemorate the 2025 IWD is the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Benue state Prevention of Mother to Child transmission of HIV/AIDS focal person, Association of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (ASHWAN), Benue Chapter, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA),  Ministry of Justice, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Lawyers Alert, including AHF partner advocates and CBOs.