Ngozi Iwere, an Ashoka Fellow since 1996, is pioneering a comprehensive community-based approach to HIV/AIDS prevention in Nigeria.[1] Unlike traditional methods focusing solely on high-risk groups, Iwere's model involves the entire community, recognizing that everyone is at risk. Her Community Life Project collaborates with local networks like hair salon unions, marketplaces, and schools to disseminate prevention and treatment information effectively.[2] This innovative strategy challenges the prevalent expert-driven, top-down public health communication, opting instead for a community-driven approach. Iwere's work, especially in her hometown of Isolo, includes organizing focus groups, educational workshops, and collaborative events with various community segments.[2] [1] This model not only addresses HIV/AIDS but also other health concerns identified by the community, such as STDs and family planning. Born in 1956 and having faced the adversities of the Nigerian civil war and rural poverty, Iwere's background in language teaching, journalism, and activism shapes her effective community organizing skills. Her belief in community empowerment and her role as a catalyst for awakening creative energy in communities underpin this groundbreaking project in Nigerian public health.[1]
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Ngozi Iwere, born on August 12, 1956, in Illah Delta State, Nigeria, has been a formidable figure in the field of social activism and community development.[2] Her journey into activism began early, rooted in her experiences during her education at the College of Education, Abraka, Delta State, where she received a National Certificate in Education in 1977.[1] Her academic excellence continued at Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria, where she graduated Cum Laude in French. Beyond her academic pursuits, Iwere was deeply involved in student activism, which later transitioned into her role as a journalist with the African Guardian and Business in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) magazines. Her career in journalism focused on foreign issues and national crises, reflecting her deep commitment to social justice. This early foundation set the stage for her future endeavors in health activism, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention.[3][4][5]
Iwere's path took a significant turn when she engaged in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the late 80s and early 90s, a period when the disease was a major threat in Africa. Alongside her role as a journalist, she was actively involved in forming the first real feminist organization in Nigeria, Women in Nigeria (WIN).[6] Her leadership as the national coordinator of WIN was instrumental in starting a society for women and AIDS in Africa. This involvement marked a pivotal moment in her career, as she realized the need for a more inclusive approach to health issues, encompassing both men and women. This realization led to the founding of the Community Life Project (CLP) in 1992, a grassroots development organization focused on participatory approaches to health education and civic engagement. The CLP and the later established Reclaim Naija Grassroots Movement in 2010 were critical in promoting community-based health initiatives, particularly in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention and women's reproductive health and rights.[7][8][9]
The effectiveness of Iwere's approach lies in her ability to connect with various community sectors, leveraging existing networks to foster health education and prevention. Her work with hair and beauty salon unions, artisans, and traders in marketplaces exemplifies her innovative methods of disseminating health information.[1] The African Feminist Forum (AFF), which she coordinates, further expands her influence, bringing together activists, researchers, and practitioners from across Africa to address feminist issues. Iwere's model of community-based HIV/AIDS prevention has been pivotal in reducing stigma and promoting health-seeking behaviors among communities.[2] Her efforts have not only contributed significantly to public health in Nigeria but also serve as a model for other countries facing similar challenges. Her journey from an activist and journalist to a renowned health advocate underscores the power of dedication, innovation, and community engagement in effecting positive change.
References
- ^ a b c d e Iwere, Ngozi. "Ngozi Iwere is the first in Nigeria to develop a model program for HIV/AIDS prevention that targets and involves the entire community instead of focusing on small high-risk target populations. Read more". Ashoka. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Olawale, Ronke (November 9, 2019). "GLOBAL FEMINISMS COMPARATIVE CASE STUDIES OF WOMEN'S ACTIVISM AND SCHOLARSHIP". lsa umich. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
- ^ Oye-Adeniran, Boniface A.; Adewole, Isaac F.; Umoh, Augustine V.; Fapohunda, Ohluwafunmilayo R.; Iwere, Ngozi (December 2004). "Characteristics of abortion care seekers in south-western Nigeria". African Journal of Reproductive Health. 8 (3): 81–91. doi:10.2307/3583395. ISSN 1118-4841. JSTOR 3583395. PMID 17348327.
- ^ Ibrahim, Jibrin (2007). Feminism or Male Feminism?. Kano: Centre for Research and Documentation; [Stockholm].
- ^ Oye-Adeniran, Boniface A. (2005). Induced Abortion in Nigeria: Findings from Focus Group Discussion. Women's Health and Action Research Centre.
- ^ "Front Matter". African Journal of Reproductive Health / La Revue Africaine de la Santé Reproductive. 8 (3): 1–5. 2004. ISSN 1118-4841. JSTOR 3583388.
- ^ Holding the World Together: African Women in Changing Perspective. University of Wisconsin Press. 2019. doi:10.2307/j.ctvfjcxvh.10. ISBN 978-0-299-32110-9. JSTOR j.ctvfjcxvh. S2CID 187830601.
- ^ Hord, Charlotte; Wolf, Merrill (2004). "Breaking the Cycle of Unsafe Abortion in Africa". African Journal of Reproductive Health / La Revue Africaine de la Santé Reproductive. 8 (1): 29–36. doi:10.2307/3583302. hdl:1807/3878. ISSN 1118-4841. JSTOR 3583302. PMID 15487610.
- ^ Sedgh, Gilda; Rossier, Clémentine; Kaboré, Idrissa; Bankole, Akinrinola; Mikulich, Meridith (2011). "Estimating Abortion Incidence in Burkina Faso Using Two Methodologies". Studies in Family Planning. 42 (3): 147–154. doi:10.1111/j.1728-4465.2011.00275.x. ISSN 0039-3665. JSTOR 41310723. PMID 21972666.