Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu: Building respect and better health for all
Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, Global Cancer Advocate, UICC President-Elect of 2024-2026 and Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, posted the following on LinkedIn:
“During a recent outreach at a Fulani settlement in Kubwa, Abuja, Medicaid Foundation had the opportunity to engage women in the community and sensitize them on gender-based violence and discrimination. We talked about practical ways to protect their daughters, including something as simple as providing underwear—a necessity we noticed many young girls were without. This small step can go a long way in safeguarding them from being preyed upon by curious boys or malicious adults.
Our conversations extended to educating the boys to respect and value women, helping to shape their mindset early on. This is crucial to reducing domestic abuse and other forms of gender-based violence.
Our visit encouraged the women to prioritize their health, attend antenatal care, carry out self-breast examinations, etc., while addressing cultural norms that sometimes discourage them from seeking this essential support. At the outreach, we supported the women with gifts and incentives, including orange wrappers for older women and special packages for breastfeeding mothers.
Our regular community outreaches reflect our ongoing commitment to education at the grassroots, building respect, and aiming for better health for all.”
Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a global cancer advocate, a pediatrician, UICC President-Elect of 2024-2026, a UICC Board Member, a Founder of the Medicaid Cancer Foundation, and the Chairperson of First Ladies Against Cancer (FLAC). Dr. Bagudu is working with the state ministries of health, education, and women’s affairs to implement programs to sustainably improve menstrual hygiene, girl-child education, economic empowerment of women, and put an end to gender-based violence. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu is a member of the Editorial Board of OncoDaily.
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