NAWOJ Kaduna Marks World AIDS Day, Calls for Stronger, Coordinated HIV Response
The Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists has joined institutions around the world to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025, using the moment to press for a more determined response to the HIV epidemic in Nigeria.
Marking the day in Kaduna, the association aligned with this year’s global theme, Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response. The theme underscores a rising concern among health advocates: that progress on HIV prevention and treatment is slowing, and communities most at risk are bearing the brunt of service gaps, misinformation, and limited access to care. NAWOJ says those challenges demand a firmer national push backed by government, civil society, and the media.
The chapter’s chairperson, Comrade Sahura Jibril Maidoki, said journalists carry a responsibility that goes beyond reporting. Here’s what matters, she noted: the media remains one of the strongest tools for shaping public understanding of HIV, countering stigma, and encouraging routine testing. She argued that misinformation still drives fear and discrimination, and that newsrooms must consistently foreground accurate health education and human-centered stories that affirm the rights of people living with HIV.
Supporting her position, the association’s secretary, Hadiza Bello Abdullahi, emphasized collaboration as the backbone of any meaningful HIV response. She called for tighter coordination among government agencies, healthcare workers, civil society groups, and the media, noting that uneven service delivery continues to undermine national targets. She reiterated NAWOJ’s commitment to advancing messages that empower women, protect young people, and expand inclusive access to testing, treatment, and lifelong care.
NAWOJ Kaduna also urged the public to renew awareness efforts within their communities, support individuals affected by HIV, and reject the stigma that persists in many parts of the country. The association reminded residents that early testing remains one of the most effective tools for prevention and control.
The group closed its commemoration with a message that speaks to the larger global agenda: strengthening resilience within communities and ensuring that no one is left behind as the world works to transform the HIV response.