Nigeria

Nigeria, Adamawa state. Uwani was worried when she found out she was pregnant with twins. “I always suffered during my previous pregnancies,” she explained. A friend advised her to visit the women’s safe space – Dakin Kwanciyan Hankali – at Fufore camp.

The humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria remains dire, with women and girls the worst affected. Across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states, over 7.9 million people face severe food insecurity, protection concerns, extreme deprivation beyond existing poverty levels, and daily threats to their well-being.

As in other conflict settings, the chaos and uncertainty of displacement leads to sexual violence and more risk for women and girls.

The Nigeria Humanitarian Fund supported women’s safe spaces for women and girls living in displacement, in partnership with UNFPA.

Uwani attended learning sessions at the safe space, which provided information on the benefits of spacing children, and other health advice. After she gave birth to her twins, she opted for a three-year contraceptive implant, so that she could decide the next time she would be pregnant.

“Before this, I was pregnant almost every year. My encounter with UNFPA gave me peace of mind,” she said.

The safe space also offers life-skills training. Uwani learned some new skills like soap making to earn some extra money. Perhaps more important, she shares the information about women’s health that she learned.

“At weddings, naming ceremonies, or when we are fetching water, I talk to women about child spacing and giving birth at the hospital because I know how important it is. I also encourage my fellow women to learn a particular skill so that they can be empowered and help their husbands,” Uwani said.

Original stories from OCHA

Uwani’s journey to safe motherhood
How a safe space is changing women’s lives through health education in IDP camps

Uwani’s worry

When Uwani Abdullahi realised that she was expecting another child, she was overcome with worry.

Twice married with seven children, she divorced her first husband due to lack of support and lost her second husband when non-state armed group attacked their home in Darajamal village in Bama local government area, Borno State, north-east Nigeria.

“I always suffered during my pregnancies as well as delivery. Even taking care of the children after birth was not easy since I had to do all house chores,” Uwani explained.

Afraid of repeating these patterns, she shared her concerns with a friend who advised her to visit the women’s safe space (Dakin Kwanciyan Hankali) at Fufore IDP camp in Yola town, Adamawa State, north-east Nigeria where she was now living with her husband and children.

Joining a safe space

Soon, Uwani was part of the safe space community attending various sessions on sexual and reproductive health led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) with support from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF).

Safe spaces often provide women and girls including expectant mothers living in IDP camps with information on health, psychosocial social support and skills training. During the health sessions, mothers are taught how to take care of themselves before, during and after childbirth. They are also counselled to wait at least 2 - 3 years before they have their next child to reduce the risk of adverse maternal and child health outcomes.

Uwani received comprehensive information on child spacing and was determined to make an informed decision after giving birth to avoid having children so close together.

After the successful birth of her twins, she opted for a three-year contraceptive implant after discussing the option with her husband, who was initially hesitant, but eventually supported her choice.

“I did not have peace of mind before my encounter with UNFPA, because I didn’t even know how to care for myself and my children. I was always pregnant (almost every year). However, my encounter with them has made me look good before my husband and neighbours,” Uwani shared.

Learning new skills

Apart from the health sessions, Uwani also took part in various business skills training opportunities offered by UNFPA and was able to start a small business with the small start-up capital provided for her.

“UNFPA also taught me variety of skills in liquid soap and vaseline production, as well as making local pasta and tailoring. In addition, they supported me with capital to start up a business which is akara,” Uwani said happily.

Uwani is now thriving since she can independently support her family and provide for her children. She is now a dedicated community volunteer who passionately advocates for child-spacing and encourages women to embrace self-reliance.

“I now encourage women in my community whenever I meet them at ceremonies like weddings, naming, or when we are fetching water to embrace child spacing and giving birth at the hospital because I know how important it is. I also encourage my fellow women to learn a particular skill so that they can be empowered and help their husbands,” Uwani said with a smile on her face.

Why this is important

Uwani’s story underscores the importance of sexual and reproductive health services especially for women and girls who are displaced due to conflict and insecurity.

The humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria remains dire, with women and girls remaining the worst affected. Across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states, over 7.9 million people face severe food insecurity, protection concerns, extreme deprivation beyond existing poverty levels, and daily threats to their well-being.

With funding from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF), services like these can be provided more frequently enabling women and girls living in IDP camps to have a semblance of a normal life. Learn more about NHF here