A former commissioner for health in Kaduna State, Dr. Amina Baloni has called for a shift in traditional norms to align with present realities.
At the opening of the 2023 Social Norms Conference organised by the Nigeria Social Norms Learning Collaborative (SNLC-N), with the theme: “Norms Shifting: Cutting-edge Innovations for Health, Education and Gender Equality”, Baloni called for synergy between traditions and transformation ideals.
According to her, to design development programs that resonate with the deeply ingrained beliefs and values of our communities, we must engage our people, ensuring that each step we take towards development is rooted in our identity and reflective of our collective aspirations.
She noted that this approach held great potential for progress, enhancing the acceptability of these norms and propelling us toward establishing a new status quo.
She said: “Today, I advocate for opportunities in the synergy between traditions and transformation ideals. To design development programs that resonate with the deeply ingrained beliefs and values of our communities. We must engage our people, ensuring that each step we take towards development is rooted in our identity and reflective of our collective aspirations. This approach holds great potential for progress, enhancing the acceptability of these norms and propelling us toward establishing a new status quo.”
Baloni said the prevalent lack of decision-making power among women in Northern Nigeria had led to avoidable loss of lives.
The director of SNLC-N, Dr Raihanah Ibrahim, said: “Today we make history at Nigeria’s first social norms conference – A dedicated stage that brings together diverse donors, government, implementers, CSOs, academia, media to share experiences and network – so we can better understand and commit to a singular call to action – To open our minds, think outside the box, and be energised to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through our individual work and as a collective.”
