United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Project

The Research/Programs department is currently implementing a 4-year program to improve the quality of maternal healthcare, thereby reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria.

In November 2023, WHARC was awarded a 4-year grant to achieve the 3-zeros agenda of the UNFPA. The 3-zeros include; zero preventable maternal death, zero gender-based violence(GBV) and all harmful practices, including child marriage, and zero unmet need for family planning.

The aim is to achieve a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

As part of WHARC’s implementation of this program, the research team conducted a workshop on setting agenda on priority areas of research involving key stakeholders, experts in maternal health, community leaders and gatekeepers. After which research is being conducted concurrently on the identified areas of research.

WHARC has also conducted capacity training of primary healthcare workers (nurses, midwives and community health extension workers) to improve their knowledge on maternal healthcare. Since November 2023, WHARC has trained a total of 75 PHCWs and a total of 105 NGOs, CSOs and CBOs in managing GBV and other harmful practices. WHARC’s implementation team has also built the capacity of these social workers on educating rural women on the use of family planning and safe childbirth.

Recently, WHARC conducted an advocacy workshop to educate youths on improving their knowledge on GBV and also educating them on the Violence Against Persons (VAPP) law. The aim was to educate the youths of Edo State on the need to eradicate GBV and to also improve their knowledge on ending this practice.

As part of the implementation of the project, WHARC aims to support health facilities with basic equipment for safe childbirth, build the capacity of more healthcare workers to improve maternal healthcare, and also reduce GBV and other harmful practices by involving community leaders and other important stakeholders.