One-page Profile of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) 2025Q3

 

Profile of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA)

 

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) is an international civil society, non-governmental, nonprofit network of over 3,000 organizations in 121 countries spread across Africa and the Global South. With headquarters in Nigeria, AHOA works at the intersection of health, sustainable development, gender equality, women empowerment, climate change, environment, governance, human rights, and humanitarian action, with a strong commitment to leaving no one behind. Its programmes are anchored in community engagement, evidence-based advocacy, and partnerships that uplift marginalized populations, particularly women, girls, and vulnerable groups.

 

Championing Women’s Rights and Ending Harmful Practices

One of AHOA’s core mandates is the fight against the harmful practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). The organization published and widely disseminated the influential publication “Female Genital Mutilation: 40 Dangerous Effects”, which provides scientific, medical, and social evidence on the dangers of FGM. This resource has been adopted by educators, health workers, civil society, and policymakers to push for the abandonment of the practice and to protect the rights of girls and women. AHOA has also played a leading role in policy advocacy for women’s empowerment and protection. In a landmark achievement, AHOA spearheaded civil society advocacy to President Muhammadu Buhari, successfully urging Nigeria to endorse the ‘Every Woman Treaty’—a global initiative to end violence against women and girls. This advocacy demonstrated AHOA’s ability to influence national policy and align Nigeria with international human rights commitments. Furthermore, AHOA took a central leadership role in the Global Women Network Africa Conference held in Abuja in 2013, and sponsored by the Government of Nigeria, UNAIDS, and African Union, where AHOA coordinated civil society engagement and highlighted issues such as women’s leadership, reproductive rights, and gender-based violence. These contributions reinforced AHOA’s reputation as a strong voice for women’s rights in Africa.

 

Health and Humanitarian Interventions

AHOA has implemented impactful projects that address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term health outcomes. It implemented the Global Fund/NMEP supported ‘Nigeria Malaria Matchbox Project’ that researched the state of critical malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services to internally displaced persons (IDPs) including women and children in IDP camps in Northeastern Nigeria, who were highly vulnerable due to conflict and displacement. This project not only saved lives but also strengthened resilience among displaced populations. In the Niger Delta, AHOA’s Sustainable Citizen Participation (SCP) Project empowered citizens in 81 communities across 81 local governments in nine states to engage in governance and development processes. Funded by the UNDEF, this initiative particularly emphasized the voices of women and other marginalized groups in shaping decisions that affected their lives. The UNDEF scored AHOA 78% implementation rate, as against expected 60%.

 

AHOA has also partnered with global institutions to advance community health. Through the Global Fund’s Home-Based Care Project, the Association brought essential health services directly to households, with a focus on vulnerable women, orphans, and children affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. Similarly, AHOA’s Maternal Anemia Research and Study Project in Lagos, supported by the Child Health Foundation (USA), generated critical evidence for reducing maternal anemia and its risks to mothers and newborns, advancing maternal health.

 

Advocacy on Migration and Human Trafficking

Beyond health and gender, AHOA addresses the urgent issues of migration and human trafficking. Recognizing the growing vulnerabilities of women and girls, the organization raises awareness about the dangers of irregular migration, advocates for safe and legal migration pathways, and supports efforts to combat human trafficking, and train/empower citizens to engage in safer migration. Its interventions emphasize survivor support, community sensitization, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to protect human dignity and rights.

 

Impact and Vision

Through its blend of research, advocacy, service delivery, and community mobilization, AHOA has built a reputation as a trusted and effective civil society network. Its programmes demonstrate the interconnectedness of health, human rights, and sustainable development, while its grassroots engagements ensure that interventions remain people-centered and locally owned. AHOA envisions an Africa and Global South where health, equality, and justice prevail, where harmful practices like FGM and human trafficking are eradicated, and where women and girls thrive as equal partners in development. With its strong partnerships, proven track record, and unwavering commitment, AHOA continues to serve as a catalyst for transformative change in communities across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.