Justice Must Be Affordable, Accessible for Women, Says UN

By: Michael Mike

The acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, has called for urgent action to reduce the financial, social and institutional barriers preventing women and girls from accessing justice in Nigeria.

Attafuah made the call in Abuja on Friday during the launch of “The Cost of Justice: Women’s Voice of Resilience in Nigeria,” an anthology documenting the experiences of women who have navigated the country’s justice system in pursuit of accountability.

The event, held at the United Nations House in Abuja, was organised by the South Saharan Social Development Organisation in collaboration with UN Women and Ford Foundation as part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2026.

Speaking at the gathering, Attafuah said the anthology serves as a powerful reminder that behind policy debates on justice are real human stories of struggle, resilience and courage.

She noted that many survivors of violence face significant financial burdens when seeking justice, including the cost of transportation, medical reports, legal representation and repeated court appearances.

According to her, these expenses can make the pursuit of justice extremely difficult for many women already facing economic hardship.

She also highlighted the lengthy and complex legal processes survivors must navigate, noting that court proceedings often take months or even years to conclude. During such periods, victims may face pressure from families or communities to withdraw their cases or reconcile with perpetrators.

Attafuah further pointed to the social cost of seeking justice, explaining that survivors frequently encounter stigma, victim-blaming and pressure to remain silent.

She stressed that access to justice is a critical component of global development efforts, particularly under Sustainable Development Goal 16 and Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focus on building inclusive institutions and ending violence against women and girls.

The UN coordinator reaffirmed the commitment of the United Nations system in Nigeria to work with government institutions, civil society groups and development partners to strengthen legal frameworks, expand survivor support services and promote social norms that uphold the dignity and rights of women and girls.

Also speaking at the event, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong, said the anthology highlights the persistent challenges women face in accessing justice, particularly survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

She noted that despite progress in legal reforms and awareness campaigns, many women continue to face financial constraints, stigma and limited access to legal support.

Eyong said the publication documents the experiences and resilience of women who have sought justice, emphasising that justice is not only about laws and institutions but also about protecting dignity and ensuring survivors can seek accountability without fear or hardship.

She commended the organisers and partners supporting the initiative, including the Ford Foundation, for advancing efforts aimed at promoting gender equality and strengthening protection for women and girls.

In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, Chief State Counsel at the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Habiba Ajanah-Hamza, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improving access to justice for survivors.

She said the ministry remains focused on strengthening coordination among institutions involved in addressing gender-based violence, supporting effective investigation and prosecution of cases, and ensuring that victims are treated with dignity and sensitivity throughout the legal process.

According to her, achieving meaningful access to justice requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, the legal community and the media.

Ajanah-Hamza added that initiatives such as the anthology contribute to raising public awareness and strengthening advocacy for reforms that make justice systems more accessible and responsive to the needs of women and girls.

The anthology launch also featured discussions aimed at identifying practical solutions and partnerships that can help reduce the cost of justice and improve survivor-centred responses across Nigeria.

Participants at the event stressed that the voices documented in the publication should serve as a call to action for stakeholders to work collectively toward building a justice system that ensures protection, accountability and dignity for every woman and girl.

Justice Must Be Affordable, Accessible for Women, Says UN

Zulum Moves to Fix Rural Health Gap in Borno, Approves 473 Medical Workers and 100% Allowance for Doctors

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has approved the recruitment of 473 medical personnel and introduced a 100 per cent rural posting allowance for doctors in a major push to strengthen healthcare services in underserved communities across Borno State.

The dual intervention is aimed at addressing the shortage of skilled health workers in rural areas and improving access to quality medical care for residents outside the state capital.

The Chief Medical Director of the Borno State Hospital Management Board, Abubakar Kullima, disclosed the development on Thursday in Maiduguri, noting that the governor had approved the immediate employment of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory scientists and community health extension workers.

Kullima explained that the recruitment also includes specialised health personnel and support staff such as perioperative care nurses and primary eye care workers who will be deployed to newly established and existing health facilities across the state.

According to him, the new workforce will be distributed across general hospitals and primary healthcare centres in the three senatorial zones to strengthen service delivery at both secondary and grassroots levels.

He said the move is part of broader reforms by the Zulum administration to rebuild and expand healthcare services in the state following years of conflict that strained public health infrastructure.

Beyond recruitment, the governor has also directed the immediate implementation of a 100 per cent rural allowance for doctors and a 40 per cent allowance for nurses serving in remote communities.

The incentive, approved through a memo to the hospital management board, is designed to attract qualified medical professionals to rural postings where harsh working conditions and limited facilities often discourage deployment.

With the new policy, doctors who accept rural postings will have their remuneration significantly increased, a step officials say is necessary to address the persistent shortage of medical personnel outside major towns.

Health sector observers say the initiative could significantly boost the availability of healthcare workers in rural communities where residents often travel long distances to access medical services.

The recruitment and incentive scheme form part of a series of healthcare reforms undertaken by Governor Zulum, including the approval of special training funds for resident doctors and the commissioning of specialised health facilities such as eye and dental hospitals.

Officials say the latest measures are expected to improve staffing levels in public hospitals, strengthen service delivery and expand access to essential healthcare across communities in Borno.

Zulum Moves to Fix Rural Health Gap in Borno, Approves 473 Medical Workers and 100% Allowance for Doctors

Breaking News: Cuba Signals Readiness for Dialogue With U.S., Insists on Sovereignty and Respect

By: Michael Mike

Cuban President, Miguel Díaz-Canel has reaffirmed his country’s willingness to engage in dialogue with the United States in an effort to address long-standing disputes, while stressing that any engagement must be anchored on equality, mutual respect and full recognition of national sovereignty.

Speaking during a high-level meeting with members of the Political Bureau, the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, and the Executive Committee of the Council of Ministers on Friday in Havana, the Cuban leader revealed that officials from both countries have recently held discussions aimed at easing tensions and identifying practical solutions to contentious bilateral issues.

Díaz-Canel said the talks form part of the historic diplomatic approach that has guided the Cuban Revolution since its inception—one that supports dialogue while firmly defending the island’s independence and political system.

According to him, the discussions were designed to examine areas of disagreement between the two nations and determine pathways for resolving them through negotiation. He noted that the exchanges also seek to gauge whether both governments are prepared to take concrete steps that would improve relations and deliver tangible benefits to their citizens.

The Cuban president added that another key objective of the engagement is to explore possible areas of cooperation, particularly in addressing shared challenges that affect regional security and stability across Latin America and the Caribbean.

He cautioned against speculation surrounding the talks, emphasizing that the Cuban leadership traditionally refrains from responding to public conjecture about sensitive diplomatic processes.

“This is a complex and delicate process that must be handled with seriousness and responsibility,” Díaz-Canel said, noting that rebuilding understanding between the two countries requires sustained effort and careful diplomacy.

The Cuban government, he said, has consistently maintained that any progress in relations must be based on strict adherence to international law, reciprocity, and respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of the Cuban state.

Relations between Havana and Washington have long been marked by political tension and ideological differences. However, the latest engagement suggests a cautious attempt by both sides to reopen channels for dialogue and possibly chart a less confrontational path forward.

Breaking News: Cuba Signals Readiness for Dialogue With U.S., Insists on Sovereignty and Respect