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Given the advancement in the revolution of technology today, one can rightfully say technology is the future. Study shows that 90% of jobs in the next ten years will require digital skills. However, a 2020 study shows that women make up 28.8% of the tech workforce, which means there is a very sizable gender gap in the technology sector.
The reason for the gender gap stems mainly from the gender stereotype of boys being better at science and mathematics, which leads to fewer women studying technology-based courses in school, lack of female role models in the tech industry, lack of programming opportunities, and more. The National Bureau of Statistics also adds that women in Nigeria make up an average of 22% of the total number of engineering and technology university graduates each year.

To close the gender gap in the technology sector, there should be an early-stage girl-focused intervention of STEM subjects in schools; Women in the technology space with valuable experience should create more awareness and provide access to mentorship; Women should be encouraged to enhance their work-life balance and flexibility. Sheryl Sandberg once said ‘no industry or country can reach its full potential until women reach their full potential’.

#DigitALLInnovationAndTechnologyForGenderEquality
#womenintechnology
#genderequality #genderstereotype UN Women
#WorldWaterDay2023
#SpeakWednesday

According to United Nations, it is estimated that 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 1100 live births have Down syndrome globally. Between 3,000 and 5,000 infants are born with down syndrome every year.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21.

Symptoms indicating down syndrome varies in the individuals. These indications are; short neck, flattened face, small head, protruding tongue, usually shaped hears, tiny white spots on the Iris, growing shorter than children of same age, affected reasoning, understanding and thinking ability. People with down syndrome could take longer time in developing abilities like walking, talking due to the cognitive impairment.

According to Mayo clinic, the causes of down syndrome is not linked to behavioural or environmental factors nor heriditary except for translocation down syndrome, rather, it is caused by a mistake in cell division during early development of the fetus. Although the causes are not linked to behavioural or environmental factors, there are factors that make parents prone to having children with down syndrome. They include; Advancing maternal age. Studies show that there is a greater risk of having children with down syndrome condition with women giving birth at the age of 35 years and above; Parents passing genetic translocation for down syndrome on to their children. Also, parents that have given birth to a child with down syndrome is at risk of giving birth to children/child with down syndrome.

Down syndrome is not a barrier to becoming great in life as there are persons with the condition that have exceptionally done well with the skill they picked up. It all depends on the efforts made in ensuring that the right treatment for the child is given.

#MondayHealthBurst
#DownSyndrome
#SymptyomsandCauses
#WorldDownSyndromeDay

The achievement of gender equality is essential and connected with accomplishing each of the 17 goals of sustainable development, which were adopted by world leaders to end all forms of poverty, combat inequities, promote health and well-being, and so on.

Gender equality according to Wikipedia is the state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making; and the state of valuing different behaviors, aspirations, and needs equally, regardless of gender.

The Women, Business, and the Law 2022 report from the World Bank estimates that 2.4 billion women of working age do not have access to equitable economic opportunities and that 178 nations continue to erect legal obstacles that limit their ability to fully participate in economic life.

Although making nearly half of the world’s population, women and girls still face discrimination in every aspect of life. Due to the biased traditional and cultural expectation that women stay at home while men work outside the home, women are likely not to fully participate in the development of a Nation. The adage “Educate a girl, educate a nation” is a rallying cry that ought to be supported by everyone. If women have access to quality jobs and wages, poverty in all of its forms will vanish and society would improve.

Also, if women have complete reproductive rights and protection, including the end of female genital mutilation performed on girls and women, mother and child mortality will decrease. The promotion of life and well-being for everyone, which is one of the global goals, will indirectly undergo a considerable change as a result.

Over the years, CFHI has empowered over 1,800 women through a variety of services, including but not limited to interest-free microloans, start-up kits for tailoring, catering, hairstyling businesses and over 80 percent of our beneficiaries are doing well in their various endeavors thereby allowing them to contribute to the building of a healthier and economically viable communities. This empowerment is geared towards Gender Equality which is key for poverty alleviation.

Women make up half of the world’s population and women’s rights are a human right, any gender discrimination has a negative impact on all other global goals.
If given the proper resources, opportunities and support, women will succeed in all fields and lead autonomous, self-reliant lives that will advance society as a whole.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #SDGs #SDG5 #GenderEquality #genderbias #WomenRights #CFHI #empowerment #UNFPA #USAID #PEPFAR

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the fifth most common type of healthcare-associated infection, with an
estimated 62,700 UTIs in acute care hospitals in 2015.

A urinary system infection known as a urinary tract infection (UTI) is fairly typical. Your urethra, ureters, bladder, and kidneys are just a few of the urinary system organs that can become infected with a UTI.

Symptoms from UTIs aren’t usually present. If so, they might contain:

* The persistent presence of a strong need to urinate

* Urination that causes burning

* Passing a lot of urine frequently

* Cloudy-looking urination

* Indications of blood in the urine including urine that is red, bright pink, or cola-colored.

* Urine with a pungent odor

* Pain in the middle of the pelvis and around the pubic bone

It is recommended that you see a medical practitioner for proper examination and treatment.

 

#MondayHealthBurst #UrinaryTractInfection #Symptoms

                                                       

In today’s Speak Wednesday, we’ll talk about how technology has empowered women in honour of International Women’s Day, a key event in the women’s rights struggle.

There is no disputing the reality that gender discrimination still exists in our society today, which contributes to the shockingly low representation of women in the technology industry. However, it is undeniable that an increasing number of women who have access to technology today have shown how crucial a role technology has played in their growth and in creating opportunities for their empowerment.
Women have had great success in the business sphere by utilizing technology to address business and entrepreneur concerns. A woman can develop entrepreneurial skills, advertise, communicate, and network with individuals in her relevant field through the usage of a smart phone.

Also, the usage of computers has made it possible for girls to receive quality education, giving them the ICT skills they need to thrive in the global job market.
We live in a technological age, and technology has aided in bringing women into income-generating activities, which in turn has reduced women’s poverty and increased their nations’ GDP.
Closing the gender gap in economic participation by around 25% could increase global GDP by an estimated USD $5.3 trillion by 2025, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report.

In conclusion, women’s participation in technology will assist address global issues and create a society that is transformational and supportive of women and men.

Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.

#SpeakWednesday #InternationalWomen’sDay #WomenInTech #Women’sRights #HumanRights #GenderStereotype #GenderBias #GenderInequality

                                 

Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.

In 2020, about 287 000 women died during pregnancy and after childbirth – World Health Organization (WHO).

The most prevalent direct causes of maternal injury and mortality are excessive blood loss, infection, high blood pressure, botched abortion, and obstructed labor, as well as indirect factors including anemia, malaria, and heart disease.

Efforts to improve maternal health have shown promising results. For instance, the global maternal mortality ratio has declined by 38% since 2000, and more women are now accessing skilled maternal health services. However, much more needs to be done to ensure that all women have access to quality maternal health care.

As a way of improving maternal health, CFHI have reached more than two thousand five hundred women of reproductive age (15-49 years) in different communities with awareness/sensitization campaign on quality maternal and child health care, donated birth kits to expectant mothers and in collaboration with TY Danjuma Foundation provided capacity building training for 150 unskilled community birth attendants on Basic Maternal Health Care, Documentation and Effective Referral System in Imo State.

In conclusion, maternal health is a critical aspect of public health and a human right. To improve maternal health outcomes, interventions must focus on improving access to quality maternal health services, strengthening health systems, and addressing social determinants of health. With concerted efforts, it is possible to achieve significant improvements in maternal health outcomes.

#MondayHealthBurst #MaternalHealth

There are different types of cancers depending on what body part it starts from. Cancer that starts in the colon or rectum is often called colorectal or colon cancer. According to @projectpinkblue , colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Nigerian men after prostate and liver cancer, and the fourth most common cancer in Nigerian women after breast, cervical and liver cancer.

Some signs of colorectal cancer include changes in bowel habits, changes in stool consistency, blood in the stool and abdominal discomfort. After diagnosis, different treatment methods such as radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapy could be used depending on the stage of the cancer.

Early diagnosis and treatment remains the best strategy in beating any form of cancer.

#GetScreened #MondayHealthBurst #ColorectalCancer #CloseTheCareGap #WCD2023

 

                             

Postnatal depression is a mood disorder that affects women after childbirth. According to different research, women who went through Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are at higher risk of developing such disorder due to childbirth complications associated with FGM. Signs and symptoms may include severe anxiety and panic attacks, depressed mood, insomnia, loss of appetite, overwhelming fatigue or loss of energy, difficulty with bonding with the baby, withdrawal from friends and family, restlessness, etc. This in turn affects the newborn baby who remains unattended to or less breastfed by the mother.

The psychological impact of FGM can be devastating. Hence, the need to raise awareness among women, familes and the society at large about the destructive and long-lasting consequences of FGM on women.

#EndFGM #SpeakWednesday

 

   

A total of 1.6 million people died from Tuberculosis (TB) in 2021 (including 187 000 people with HIV). Worldwide, TB is the 13th leading cause of death and the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV/AIDS). (WHO)

Tuberculosis, an infectious disease which is caused by the mycobacterium bacteria, typically affects the lungs but can affect any organ in the body. Bacteria in the airborne droplets can cause it to grow.

Although the bacteria that cause tuberculosis can live in your body, your immune system usually works to keep you healthy. For this reason, medical professionals distinguish between:

Latent TB: Latent TB, also called inactive TB or TB infection, isn’t contagious. You have a TB infection, but the bacteria in your body are inactive and cause no symptoms. Latent TB can turn into active TB, so treatment is important.

Active TB: Often known as TB sickness, makes you unwell and, in most situations, can spread to other people. It might happen shortly after TB bacterial infection or years later. (Mayo Clinic)

The signs and symptoms of active TB include:

* Coughing for three or more weeks

* Coughing up blood or mucus

* Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing

* Unintentional weight loss

* Fatigue

* Fever

* Night sweats

* Chills

* Loss of appetite

TB bacteria spread through the air from one person to another when a person who has TB disease of the lungs or throat speaks, sings, or coughs.

TB is NOT transmitted by;

* Shaking hands
* Sharing food or drink
* Touching toilet seats or bed linens
* Sharing toothbrushes
* Kissing

TB can be lethal if left untreated but it is preventable and treatable. Visit the nearest clinic for a test if you have any of the aforementioned symptoms.

 

#MondayHealthBurst #Tuberculosis #Symptoms #ModeOfTransmission 

                                                                               

A Pap test, often known as a Pap smear, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer. The examination looks for abnormal cells in the cervix that are malignant or may develop into cancer. Your doctor extracts cells from your cervix during a Pap smear to look for cancerous lesions under a microscope.(Cleveland clinic)

According to Mayo clinic in the article Pap Smear published in June 2022, Doctors generally recommend repeating Pap testing every three years for women ages 21 to 65.

Regardless of your age, your doctor may advise more frequent Pap smears if you have certain risk factors. These risk factors include:

* Cervical cancer diagnosis or precancerous cells on Pap test

* Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth

* HIV infection

* Immune system weakened as a result of chemotherapy, organ transplantation, or long-term corticosteroid use

* History of smoking

The screening procedure can be discontinued if one is above 65 years or following a complete hysterectomy (surgical removal of the entire uterus)

Cervical cancer is rarely discovered in people who undergo routine screenings for the disease.(National Cancer Institute, NCI).

Routine screening remains a major key in preventing cervical cancer.

 

#PapTest #CervicalCancer #WorldCancerDay #RoutineScrening #MondayHealthBurst