On March 2, a mother of three abandoned her children at a bus terminal in Enugu, stripped naked, and fled. This shocking incident disrupted society, casting a somber mood ahead of today’s 2024 Mother’s Day celebration.
The woman’s husband informed police that his wife, who hasn’t been seen, has been exhibiting concerning behaviors, possibly indicating mental health problems.
Like the mother of three who fled, mothers across Nigeria are navigating a complex tapestry of joy and sorrow, hope and fear, all while balancing the weight of tradition and modernity.
Consequently, some mothers resort to selling their children.
Last month, a mother of 11 children in Anambra State, Chinyere Chukwu, was apprehended by security agents when she attempted to sell two of her sons for the sum of N1.8 million. She blamed her indiscretion on the “economic hardship of the country.”
Last May, Maria Ahmadu, 26, in Lagos, arrested for trying to sell her 9-month-old. A month earlier, Olaide Adekunle, 33, in Ogun, nabbed for selling her 18-month-old to pay a debt.
Aside from the mind-numbing economic hardship, another great challenge faced by mothers in Nigeria is the high maternal mortality rate. According to the World Health Organisation, Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, with approximately 512 deaths per 100,000 live births.
UN Economic Commission: 1 in 7 global maternal deaths in Nigeria, over 50,000 yearly. Health experts, however, said about 95 per cent of deaths during childbirth are preventable.
UNICEF estimates that Nigeria’s 40 million women of childbearing age (between 15 and 49 years of age) suffer a disproportionally high level of health issues surrounding birth. Nigeria, with 2.4% of the world’s population, accounts for 10% of global maternal deaths.
These stats remind us of the tough healthcare challenges Nigerian mothers endure. The UN’s goal for maternal mortality is 70 deaths per 100,000 live births.
Nigeria equally lags in the global push to encourage breastfeeding. Its coverage rate of 29 per cent is far less than the minimum 60 per cent recommended by UNICEF and the WHO. The working-class category comprises many nursing mothers, which contributes to the sub-optimal score.
Only 9.0% of companies, according to the Federal Ministry of Health, have policies supporting breastfeeding and creating a conducive environment for nursing mothers to breastfeed their children. Tragically, the national initiative to promote breastfeeding is not catching on.
The challenges of motherhood in Nigeria are multifaceted and deeply ingrained in the fabric of society. Yet, Nigerian mothers bravely tackle these challenges, epitomizing motherhood’s essence: unconditional love and unwavering strength.
Govt, stakeholders, faith groups, corps, individuals must unite for better social welfare for mothers. Local primary healthcare centers urgently require proper equipment to offer quality care to expectant and nursing mothers.
Federal and state governments should prioritise the well-being of mothers in the policies they enact and the effect of economic decisions they make. Child Rights Act needed nationwide to ensure girl-child education and protect against child marriage exploitation.