In a region ravaged by conflict, women are leading the charge against polio, leveraging their social skills and community credibility to deliver vaccines to hard-to-reach areas. With the country declared free of wild poliovirus in 2020, a related strain still poses a threat, forcing female health workers to persevere.
In Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, 29-year-old Eucharia Joseph embarks on daily routes through dusty lanes and past mosques and churches to vaccinate hundreds of children. Her team of six women have carved out a space to thrive in areas where male health workers are unwelcome or mistrusted.
The World Health Organization (WHO) credits female vaccinators with instrumental roles in reaching children in conflict-affected regions, despite facing life threats. “Women are very social,” says Esu Danlami Audu, village head of Kado who has seen his village stamp out new polio cases due to efforts by women vaccinators.
These women face unique challenges, including misinformation and cultural barriers. However, persistence and innovation have become key strategies. GIS mapping helps identify missed settlements, while community mobilisers monitor newborns and report missed vaccinations.
While the campaigns have improved public health outcomes, they have also created economic opportunities for women. Empowered by training and purpose, many have become micro-entrepreneurs and informal community leaders. Vaccinators like Aminat Oketi run small businesses alongside their health work, showcasing a deeper shift in their roles as healthcare providers and entrepreneurs.
As the fight against polio continues, experts stress the need for sustaining momentum, strengthening routine immunisation, and supporting communities all year round. The polio infrastructure has transformed Nigeria’s broader healthcare system, with trained female vaccinators now part of nutrition drives, health education, and emergency response teams.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2025/8/13/health-champions-local-women-lead-the-fight-against-polio-in-nigeria