By Fatima Muraina

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As the world marks the 2021 International Women’s Day today, stakeholders have been urged to protect the dignity of Nigerian women and girls and give them more opportunities that would enable them contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.
The Network of Reproductive Health Journalists in Nigeria (NRHJN) gave the advice in a statement signed by the National President of the Network and the Secretary, Mrs Yinka Shokunbi and Alhaja Sekina Lawal , a copy of which was made available to The Hope.
The Network tasked government at all levels to do more to protect the sexual and reproductive health rights of Nigerians, especially that of women and girls from predators and ensuring all states pass the VAPP Act, Child’s Right Act and give access to justice and equity in all forms of gender-based violations.
With this year’s theme: “Choose to Challenge”, the network urged individuals, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to choose to challenge cultural stereotypes that prevent women and girls from accessing the full potential of their sexual reproductive health rights.
While calling on every pro-active government to embrace the scaling up of family planning service as one of the maternal survival strategies, it condemned the current 17 percent prevalence rate (CPR) which it described as poor.