Nike’s New Pro Hijab Creates Quite a Stir

RH Weekly News Roundup – 17 March 2017

Nigeria Pushing for Women’s Property Rights

What? It’s okay to be confused as the Federal Government almost refuses to pass the Gender Equality Bill because of issues such as inheritance and property rights. And yet, President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has clearly stated that African women need to achieve property rights parity.

Speaking at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, she said, “The laws that give rights to men, the same laws give rights to women. So we must come together to protect the rights of women in Africa.” Of course, we completely agree, and truly hope this goal can be realised in Nigeria and across the world.

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Beat the Baby Blues with Blueberries

Researchers at Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health have evidence that a small group of supplements may eliminate post-partum depression – and, yes, Blueberry extract is one of them. The other two are tryptophan and tyrosine. While typically taken in the form of supplements, you can find these proteins in cheeses, fish, soy beans, and oats.

Taken together, these supplements can help regulate the centres of the brain that deal with your mood – precisely the areas affected a few days after birth. While not every woman battles post-partum depression (nor do women necessarily experiences it after every pregnancy), this research could eliminate the baby blues and other forms of depression. Combined supplements aren’t necessarily available yet, but you can always focus on eating the right foods during the first week after delivery.

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US Aid Cuts Will Affect Nigerian Health Care

Nigeria is the fifth-largest recipient of American foreign aid funding. It comes through a variety of organisations, such as USAID and the Peace Corps. Much of the African aid is funneled into the strengthening of political stability and health care. And, even though the “Gag Order” doesn’t impact Nigerian NGOs (as abortion is illegal in the country), Nigeria will definitely feel the hit.

America’s new top diplomat has pushed back against the 37 percent proposed reduction in the State (foreign) Department’s budget and the $36.5 billion dispelled in foreign assistance. Presumably, the reduction won’t be as large as previously discussed, but Nigerian NGOs are likely to begin fundraising soon. Perhaps it’s time to figure out which causes are most deserving of your generosity.

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Will mNutrition End Nigerian Malnutrition?

We’re not exactly sure how it will function and who will have access to it, but the Federal Government is rolling out a programme that strives to provide healthcare and nutrition information to people rural areas. mNutrition will send text messages with information to those that need it desperately. While that’s not the same as providing food and medication, it is a step in the right direction.

While this programme has been on the cards for awhile, it was officially launched in Nigeria in the last week. mNutrition programmes are also launching in Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

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Nike’s New Pro Hijab Creates Quite a Stir 

Nike recently announced it would launch a Pro Hijab in 2018. And, while Muslim women have long used these garments, this news is creating quite a stir. In the United States, there are many that are calling for a complete boycott of Nike gear. They’re equating hijabs with female oppression rather than a symbol of faith (much as kippahs and crosses are for Jews and Christians respectively).

Though it’s possible to question the timing of Nike’s launch, no one can discount the desire for sports gear that helps you perform in a way you feel most comfortable. Nigeria’s population is almost equally split between Muslims and Christians, and we’re certainly supportive of anything that will help its women become more aware of their wellbeing and take steps to become more active.