Presented at the Interfaith Preconference of the 6th Nigeria Family Planning Conference by Hon. Justice (rtd) Alhaji Abdullahi Yakubu Marafa, Former Grand Ghadi of Bauchi, represented by Uztaz Suleiman.

1. BAUCHI STATE
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE - ADVOCACY CORE
GROUP
(SBC-ACG)
08th DECEMBER 2020
The Journey So Far…

2. Outline:
 Background
 Achievement
 Key learnings
 Challenges
 Recommendations

3. Opening Quote:
 “If religious teachings can be coordinated to demonstrate that religious beliefs
support maternal, child health and nutrition, we expect to see a significant
increase in the confidence of households to adopt priority MNCH+N including CBS
behaviors in a sustainable way leading to reduced child and maternal mortality in
Bauchi State”. Hon. Justice Abdullahi Yakubu Marafa
 Golden Quote

4. Background …. 1
 Bauchi is in North Eastern Nigeria. Total Population – 6.8 million (NPC
2015)
 Statistic shows that 1,549 women die from complications of
pregnancy and delivery out of every 100,000 live births; this is higher
than the national average of 576 (NDHS report 2013) While an
estimated 5.5 percent of married women are using modern
contraceptive methods (NDHS Report 2018).
 The average woman in Bauchi has 8.1 children in her lifetime this is
higher than the national average of 5.7 (NDHS report 2013)
 Religion, culture and poverty had been some of the obstacles
affecting childbirth spacing and other MNCH + N service uptake in the
state.
 To raise formidable voices in support of childbirth spacing in Bauchi
State, religious leaders from Islamic and Christian Religion with
support from the Challenge Initiative (TCI) and Breakthrough ACTION
Nigeria (BA-N) were identified to form an interfaith forum.
4

5. Why Religious Leader’s need to Speak Out…
• They are Highly respected by most community members.
• They are Custodians of community & divine values.
• They can facilitate normative shift within communities in favor of childbirth spacing
• They Have strong influence on decisions made by individuals, families and
communities
• They are Credible source of information
• They are Problem solvers and change agents.

6. Achievements so far… 1
1. Religious Leaders Speak Out
 In Bauchi, there is now a strategic forum for religious leaders
at State & LGA levels to come together to align key messages
and teachings to support Childbirth Spacing using sets of
messages from religious scriptures.
 Religious leaders now speak out regularly, freely and
consistently to promote FP & RMNCH+N, in Mosques,
Churches, and during social events like weddings, naming
ceremonies, men and women fellowship conferences for the
first time in Bauchi State.
 Religious leaders were trained on how to give correct
messages on Childbirth Spacing and other health messages.
 Some of the SBC-ACG members in Bauchi state started a
monthly lecture, particularly on CBS.
 Highly placed Ulamas/Sheikhs talks about and encourages
people to practice CBS, ANC attendance, Hospital Delivery,
and Immunization for children during RAMADAN TAFSIR every
year since 2017!!
Bauchi SBC-ACG Co-chairman Alh. Yakubu Abdullahi
Marafa former grand Khadi and traditional leader
explaining CBS benefits to religious leaders at a
dialogue meeting

7. Achievements so far… 2
SBC-ACG members in Bauchi are now conducting sermons
and lectures from religious perspectives on CBS and other
priority behaviors at Health Facilities during ANC and
Immunization sessions to encourage services uptake.
High acceptance of CBS – evidence is CPR now 5.5%
(NDHS 2018) compared to the previous one of 2.1%
(NDHS 2013) and fertility rate has dropped from 8.1 to 7.2
and unmet needs from 16% in (2013 NDHS) to 20.8% in
(2018 NDHS) partly attributed to the work of SBC-ACG in
the State.
Male involvement in Reproductive Health especially in CBS
has been unprecedented because of the strategic
involvement, participation and buy-in of Religious Leaders
in Bauchi State.
Increased harmonious relationships and understanding
among the leadership of different Sects and religions in
Bauchi State.
BSPHCDA now has a budget line for FP/CBS which was
made possible because of the advocacy visit conducted by
SBC-ACG to Bauchi State House of Assembly Sarkin Malaman Toro during a male Involvement Meeting
Mal. Maitauhidi talking to women during ANC session

8. Achievements so far…Due to SBC-ACG advocacy efforts, major media houses are providing free airtime for
some ACG activities and CBS messages which led to Increase in number of media
programs with religious leaders supporting CBS in Bauchi State.
Achievements so far… 3
ACG Members Reinforcing CBS messages Through News
Media

9. Key learnings…..
1. Synergy amongst the members of the interfaith forum representing
various religious groups in the SBC-ACG, SPHCDA, and media on CBS
facilitated the positive impact of CBS program in the communities.
2. Effective stakeholder engagement is critical to obtaining buy in.
3. Using of existing religious systems and structures is critical for
ownership and sustainability of the interfaith intervention.
4. Careful selection and using of culturally acceptable words to pass
health information have encouraged prominent and traditional
leaders to accept, participate and integrated CBS and other health
messages into their daily activities.

10. Challenges…
 There are still some strong cultural beliefs in
some communities that parents decide on the
number of children that their children will have.
 Non availability of different long –acting CBS
(male-oriented) methods options for men.
 Intermittent stock out of long-acting CBS
methods and consumables in health facilities.

11. Thank You!!!
Na Gode!!!
Miyetti!!!