The Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Niger State Chapter, in partnership with the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC), under their NGO Support Initiative (NSI), supported by FORD Foundation, has successfully concluded a one-day training on HIV/AIDS Gender Sensitivity and Intersectionality for Ward Development Committee (WDC) members in the state.

The event, held on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, at the Dogon Koli Hotel in Minna, aimed to empower community leaders to combat the spread of HIV and reduce stigma by fostering inclusive and gender-responsive health practices.

A statement signed and issued to The Guardian in Minna by the Amirah of FOMWAN, Niger State, Hajiya Kulu Abdullahi, explained that the training was a crucial step in reactivating an initiative previously supported under the USAID ACE-4 Project, which was abruptly terminated earlier this year.

The statement disclosed that the dRPC NSI grant has enabled FOMWAN to sustain the project and activity implementation, directly addressing the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls in Niger State, particularly in Kontagora, Wushishi, Lapai, Paikoro, Munya, and Shiroro Local Councils of Niger State, where the participants were selected.

The Amirah of FOMWAN, Niger State, Hajiya Kulu, had described the training as “a testament to the commitment to a holistic approach to health and social justice.”
Hajiya Kulu further added that “HIV is a manageable condition, not a death sentence. Our goal is to equip our WDC members to serve as beacons of hope and knowledge, challenging misconceptions and building a community where no woman or girl is left behind due to stigma, discrimination, or a lack of access to care,” she noted.

The training featured sessions led by experts on a range of critical topics:
The first session, titled, Understanding HIV/AIDS Basics and Dispelling Myths, facilitated by Dr. Michael Onyilo, a National HIV Clinical Mentor of the Niger State Agency for the Control of AIDS (NGSACA), delivered a foundational session that demystified the virus, clarified its transmission, and debunked common misconceptions that fuel stigma.