The Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Benue Breast Cancer Support Initiative to promote breast cancer awareness, encourage early detection, and address the stigma associated with the disease.

The team, led by Mrs Chinyere Nkwocha, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the Ministry. She highlighted the high cost of treatment, the abandonment of cancer patients by their spouses, and a culture of secrecy that prevents many women from seeking timely medical attention.

In response, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Theresa Odachi Ikwue, identified harmful cultural norms as a major challenge. She advocated a “catch them young” approach by integrating cancer education into school curricula.

Mrs Ikwue emphasised the need to collaborate with the Ministries of Education and Knowledge Management; Health and Human Services; Agriculture; and Budget and Economic Planning, as well as religious leaders, traditional rulers, and their wives, to strengthen awareness and community engagement.

She also stated that the Ministry was ready to engage auxiliary social workers across the state’s 276 council wards to take cancer awareness campaigns to grassroots communities. She stressed the need to break the culture of silence and encourage people to seek medical attention early.

The Commissioner called for an inclusive approach, noting that cancer affects everyone directly or indirectly and requires collective action.

In her vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Martha Edor, expressed optimism about the success of the proposed campaign and thanked the team for the visit.

By Joy Akoh
Information Officer
Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare