In a country like ours, one could say that being a woman can sometimes be hard. From dealing with systemic gender bias to fighting sexist stereotypes, women sometimes are faced with numerous challenges.
While some of these challenges have gotten some much needed mainstream attention over the years, one critical issue that has crept under the radar is the many struggles undergone by women during childbirth.
Pregnancy and childbirth are life’s most joyful expectations. However, in many instances, these end in tragedy and anguish for families and friends when neonatal mortality maternal or newborn deaths occurring during childbirth or shortly after from related complications happens.
Research shows that Nigeria has a current maternal mortality ratio of 576 per 100,000 live births, and a neonatal mortality rate of 37 per 1000 live births. These are staggering numbers worthy of concern as the current realities are dire. Fortunately, data generated from countries with better medical facilities has revealed that these numbers can be improved.
It is therefore evident that such improvements are often associated with a country’s socio-economic development. Does this therefore mean that third world countries are doomed?
Does this mean Nigerian women have to risk their lives consistently? These and more, are questions that plague the minds of expecting mothers across Nigeria.
As a leading total beverage company, Coca-Cola remains committed to refreshing the lives of people around the world while making a difference in the communities it serves.
This commitment transcends providing refreshing beverages across its markets; it is all-encompassing as it also entails investing in the wellbeing of people around the world.
Over the years, this passion has birthed several initiatives focused on measurable impact; some of these initiatives include 5 by 20 women economic Empowerment, World Without Waste, Replenish Africa Initiative (R.A.I.N), among others. One of such initiatives that have gathered national acclaim is the Safe Birth Initiative (SBI).
The Safe Birth Initiative (SBI), which aims to support the realisation of the SDG goals on maternal and neonatal mortality, focuses on strengthening the capacity of selected public hospitals through procurement of vital maternal and neonatal medical equipment as well as providing training via renowned biomedical engineering technicians.
Coca-Cola remains at the fore front of women empowerment consistently supporting initiatives that help achieve this goal.
The company’s global 5 by 20 initiative, launched 10 years ago, aims to economically empower five million women by 2020.
As at the end of 2019, 4.6million women have been empowered under this initiative, of which over 400,000 are Nigerian women as Coca-Cola is well on its way to achieving this goal by the end of 2020.
The Safe Birth Initiative therefore ties into the women empowerment vision of the company as a crucial vehicle to help drive change in the country.
Source: Nation
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