Taraba Graduates 20 ‘Big Sisters’ to Combat Maternal Mortality and Empower Adolescent Girls

WCAHealth and the Taraba government graduate 20 'Big Sisters' to mentor adolescent girls on reproductive health. Learn about this 8-state pilot health program.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 6:32 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Peoples Gazette

A Community-Based Approach to Adolescent Health

In a strategic move to address the surging maternal mortality rates among young girls, a non-governmental organization, West and Central Africa Health Option Ltd/Gte (WCAHealth), has successfully graduated its first cohort of 20 "Big Sisters" in Taraba State. This intensive four-day training program was conducted in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency. The trainees, selected from 20 wards within the Lau and Zing Local Government Areas (LGAs), are now equipped to serve as frontline mentors and health educators for adolescent girls in their respective communities.

Bridging the Reproductive Health Information Gap

Dr. Tukura Nuhu, the Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Primary Health Care Development Agency, emphasized that the "Big Sisters" model is a necessary intervention for a state grappling with some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country. The core mission of these mentors is to bridge the often-difficult gap between parents and children regarding sensitive topics. By providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, the Big Sisters aim to prevent the risky behaviors and lack of information that often lead to tragic outcomes for young mothers.

Countering Myths and Unsafe Practices

The Taraba Coordinator for WCAHealth, Ibrahim Sheye, highlighted that research consistently points to unsafe abortions and a lack of proper prenatal care as leading causes of death among adolescent girls. The Big Sisters are trained to deconstruct prevalent myths and misconceptions about menstruation, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections. Their role is to earn the "Little Sisters'" trust, making it easier for young girls to open up about health concerns and receive timely referrals to hospitals and youth-friendly clinics.