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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: NIGERIA MOTHERS CEREBRAL PALSY
HEADLINE: Gender Stigma and Mothers of Children with Cerebral Palsy
TEASER: The untold stories of mothers defying societal norms and overcoming the gender stigma while raising their children
PUBLISHED AT:
BYLINE: Gibson Emeka
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: ABUJA, NIGERIA
VIDEOGRAPHER: Emeka Gibson
VIDEO EDITOR: Emeka Gibson
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Betty Ayoub
SCRIPT EDITORS: Salem Solomon, KEnochs; MAS
VIDEO SOURCE(S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO X
TRT: 2:37
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG/RADIO
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed on October 6th and aims to raise awareness about and acceptance of the condition. In developing countries like Nigeria, caregivers and parents of children with cerebral palsy struggle to support the children and deal with the stigma of the disorder. Gibson Emeka visits a mother in Abuja who has left everything to care for her son. Narrated by Salem Solomon]]
((NARRATOR))
When Zainab Obomokhai’s son Max was diagnosed with cerebral palsy two months after his birth. She left her job as a hairstylist to be his full-time caregiver.
((Zainab Obomokhai, Mother)) ((Female, in English))
“He would cry for 48 hours non-stop. The mental stress is there and it’s like an everyday thing because I wake up every morning, I see him. I know the things that he’s supposed to be doing by now and he can’t do them.”
((NARRATOR))
Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect a person’s movement, posture and balance.
Obomokhai’s husband Julius Obomokhai has been supportive. He says he handles the physiotherapy sessions at home to cut the financial burdens.
((Julius Obomokhai, Father)) ((Male, in English))
“Whenever I’m at home, I try my best to assist. Bathe him, feed him. Trust me, feeding a special needs child is not for the faint-hearted.”
((NARRATOR))
Cerebral palsy is the most common cause of physical disability in children around the world according to research by the National Institutes of Health. There are about two to three cases for every 1,000 births according to the Centers for Disease Control. And women bear the brunt of caring for these children.
A Nigerian women’s rights advocate, Saudatu Mahdi says this is rooted in a gender gap at home, where mothers are often the only caregivers.
((Saudatu Mahdi, Nigerian Women Rights Advocate)) ((Female, in English))
“The gender issue around that is that in many families today, there’s an abdication of responsibility for raising children because people believe it is the sole responsibility of a mother.”
((NARRATOR))
Hembafan Doreen Ngutsav, a clinical psychologist based in Abuja Nigeria says the pressure of this trend on these mothers can cause trauma and lead to isolation.
((Hembafan Doreen Ngutsav, Clinical Psychologist)) ((Female, in English))
“They move their focus from themselves to these children and at the same time, it could even lead them into depression. I’ve worked with people who for years had their children under lock and key, just because they don’t want people to see these children.
((NARRATOR))
Obomokhai launched a nonprofit in 2021 to support children with special needs and mothers like herself.
((Zainab Obomokhai, Mother)) ((Female, in English))
“I decided ‘you know what, if I can have a foundation that can take care of these children while the parents go out to work, it will be a good thing.”
((NARRATOR))
But it appears more is needed to address the problem.
Psychological experts in Nigeria are urging the government to invest more in raising awareness and support.
((For Gibson Emeka in Abuja, Nigeria, Salem Solomon, VOA News.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)ABUJA, NIGERIA
BylineGibson Emeka
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
