NCWS National President Participates in CIVIL SOCIETY PARTNERSHIP ON “Saving Our Mothers” (RenewHERFLAGSHIP MATERNAL HEALTH ADVOCACY STRATEGY) -State House Briefing on “Saving Our Mothers” Initiative

The National President of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) Nigeria, Princess Edna DD Azura (Kwatam Mutaku), on April 15, 2026, joined key stakeholders at a high-level State House press briefing in Abuja focused on advancing maternal health outcomes across Nigeria.

The engagement, convened by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health (OSSAP-WH), formed part of the implementation of the RenewHER Presidential Women’s Health Transformation Initiative, with particular emphasis on its flagship advocacy pillar, “Saving Our Mothers.” The initiative, which has received Presidential approval, is designed to strengthen maternal health advocacy, improve public awareness, and increase the utilisation of existing government healthcare services.

The event brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society organisations, and development partners, reflecting a coordinated national effort to address the persistent challenge of maternal mortality. The initiative is being implemented in alignment with the priorities of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, particularly through the Department of Family Health, and is supported by ongoing sector-wide approaches and maternal health programmes.

Princess Edna DD Azura’s presence at the briefing underscored NCWS’s commitment to amplifying the voices of women at the grassroots level and ensuring that national policies are informed by real community experiences. As a leading advocate for women’s health and empowerment, the NCWS National President reaffirmed the Council’s readiness to collaborate with government and partners to strengthen maternal health systems and promote dignity, access, and quality care for every Nigerian mother.

The “Saving Our Mothers” strategy is envisioned as a national advocacy and literacy engine that prioritises culturally relevant communication, community trust, and inclusive engagement. It seeks to co-create accurate maternal health information, support community mobilisation, and amplify verified messages through trusted local structures. This approach recognises that sustainable progress in maternal health depends not only on policy but also on community ownership and behavioural change.

Speaking in alignment with the objectives of the initiative, NCWS emphasized the importance of community-rooted advocacy that reflects local languages, traditions, and lived realities of women, particularly those in underserved and hard-to-reach areas. The Council highlighted the need for strong partnerships that bridge the gap between national frameworks and grassroots implementation.

The State House briefing also served as a platform to reinforce collaboration between civil society organisations and government institutions, ensuring that maternal health interventions are executed with technical integrity, institutional coherence, and strong subnational linkages.

NCWS remains committed to supporting the RenewHER initiative and its “Saving Our Mothers” campaign by mobilising its nationwide network to promote awareness, encourage utilisation of maternal health services, and advocate for policies that protect and empower women.

The participation of the NCWS National President at this strategic engagement further strengthens the Council’s role as a critical partner in Nigeria’s maternal health agenda and reaffirms its dedication to ensuring that no woman is left behind in the pursuit of safe motherhood.

Princess Edna D. D. Azura (Kwatam Mutaku),
National President,
National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria.