Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The United Nations Women (UN Women) has raised a critical alarm over the poor level of male involvement in maternal and child healthcare services in Nigeria, revealing that only 3.4 percent of men accompany their spouses to antenatal and postnatal clinic visits. The disclosure was made during a two‑day social norms training for traditional, religious and community leaders held in Makurdi, Benue State, focused on promoting male engagement in support of antenatal care (ANC), postnatal care (PNC) and prevention of mother‑to‑child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV.
The Country Representative of UN Women to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms Beatrice Eyong, who was represented by the Acting Deputy Representative, Mrs Patience Ekeoba, presented the findings of a recent UN Women research that paints a worrying picture of male participation in maternal healthcare across the country. Eyong stressed that the physical presence and active participation of men remain critically low. “Evidence shows only 3.4% of men attend clinic visits with their spouses,” she said. “Overall male partner involvement stands at 13.8%; only 3.3% attend more than two visits; and the average Male Involvement Index is 19.8%.” Her message was clear: despite decades of advocacy, Nigerian men remain largely absent from the healthcare journeys of their pregnant partners, with serious consequences for the health and survival of mothers and children.
Eyong attributed the persistently low figures to a combination of harmful cultural beliefs, gender norms, stigma, misinformation, and lack of family support. She explained that in many Nigerian communities, maternal health is still widely viewed as a woman’s affair, a misconception that discourages men from participating in clinic visits, childbirth preparations, or postnatal recovery. According to her, many pregnant women begin antenatal care late, deliver outside health facilities, or fail to access essential postnatal care services. These gaps, she warned, contribute significantly to maternal and infant illnesses, preventable deaths, as well as new HIV infections among children – areas in which Nigeria already ranks alarmingly high.
The UN Women representative expressed optimism that traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders could help reverse the trend through positive social influence and advocacy. “When traditional rulers encourage families to support pregnant women, when religious leaders use their platforms to promote healthy practices, and when community leaders champion inclusion and male involvement, communities become safer and healthier for mothers and children,” Eyong said. She noted that community leaders occupy strategic positions that enable them to shape attitudes and behaviours at the family level, making them indispensable partners in the fight against maternal mortality.
The implications of low male involvement are not abstract. Research has consistently shown that male participation in antenatal care is linked to improved maternal health outcomes, increased facility‑based deliveries, better birth preparedness, reduced maternal stress, and higher adherence to postnatal care recommendations. According to the World Health Organization, Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world, with an estimated 512 to 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births. Experts say that engaging men as active partners in pregnancy care could significantly reduce these figures, but the deep‑seated cultural norms that define childbirth as “women’s business” have proven resistant to change.
The training in Makurdi was designed to strengthen the capacity of traditional, religious and community leaders as agents of change. Participants were exposed to discussions on how social norms affect health‑seeking behaviours, the importance of early and regular antenatal care attendance, postnatal care services, and the role of communities in supporting PMTCT interventions. Eyong stressed that sustainable progress in maternal and child health cannot be achieved by the health sector alone. “The messages delivered in palaces, churches, mosques, town halls, women meetings, youth gatherings and family settings are often more powerful than formal campaigns. This is why your support and commitment are indispensable,” she added.
The data from UN Women aligns with findings from several academic studies conducted across Nigeria. A 2025 qualitative study in Ekiti State identified barriers such as institutional constraints, lack of awareness, financial limitations, and patriarchal gender roles as major obstacles to male involvement. Another study in Kaduna State found that women living in settings where men control financial decisions and women are economically dependent on their spouses face even greater challenges in accessing maternal healthcare. These structural issues, experts argue, cannot be solved by training programmes alone; they require systemic shifts in policy, health facility design, and community education.
In response to the crisis, health organisations have begun exploring innovative strategies. Some have launched male‑friendly clinic hours, community‑based programmes using religious and traditional platforms, and gender‑responsive maternal health policies. A Nutrition International‑supported initiative in northern Nigeria has engaged “male motivators” to encourage fathers to participate in monthly antenatal check‑ups. The results have shown improved attendance and a noticeable change in men’s attitudes toward pregnancy care. However, such programmes remain limited in scale, and experts caution that without a nationwide commitment to transforming social norms, the 3.4 percent figure is unlikely to change anytime soon.
As the two‑day training in Makurdi concluded, Eyong urged participants to use their positions of influence to advocate for healthier families, encourage timely healthcare‑seeking behaviour, reduce stigma, and promote gender equity within their communities. She commended the organisers, facilitators and development partners for their commitment to improving maternal and child health in Nigeria. “Sustainable progress in maternal and child health cannot be achieved by the health sector alone,” she reiterated. “This is why your support and commitment are indispensable.” The road ahead is long, but the UN Women believes that with traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders leading the charge, Nigerian men can be brought into the fold – one antenatal visit at a time.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments