By Racheal Victor Pindar
When a child misses a vaccination appointment or does not receive medical attention on time, the first question is often: “Where was the mother?”
Did she forget the appointment? Why did she not take the child to the clinic? Did she follow the health worker’s instructions?
Rarely do we ask what the father did or whether the family provided the support she needed. This reflects a common belief that caring for children, particularly their health, is mainly a woman’s responsibility.
There is nothing wrong with a mother caring deeply for her child. Women have always played an important role in protecting the health and well-being of their families. The problem begins when the responsibility is placed almost entirely on them, even when they do not have equal access to the time, money and decision-making power needed to provide that care.
A mother may know that her child is due for vaccination, but that does not necessarily mean she can easily get to the clinic. She may be looking after other children, preparing meals, working or running a business. She may need money for transport or someone to stay with the other children. In some homes, she may also be expected to discuss the visit with her husband before leaving.
If we look only at whether the mother took the child for vaccination, we may miss the circumstances that affected her ability to do so.
This is important because many Nigerian children are still missing essential vaccines. The 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey reported that national coverage for the third dose of the pentavalent vaccine was about 53.4 per cent. This means that a significant number of children remain without full protection against preventable diseases.
Repeatedly telling mothers to take their children for vaccination will not solve the problem on its own. Families, communities and health services must also address the practical barriers that make it difficult for some children to receive care.
Fathers have an important role to play. Their involvement should not be limited to giving permission or providing money when asked. A father can know his child’s vaccination dates, contribute to transport costs, take the child to the clinic, look after the other children during appointments and discuss health decisions with his partner.
When a father does these things, he is not simply “helping” the mother with her responsibility. He is carrying out his own responsibility as a parent.
At the same time, encouraging men’s involvement should not result in women losing the freedom to make urgent health decisions. There is a difference between a couple making decisions together and a woman being unable to seek care for her child until her husband gives permission. The goal should be partnership, mutual respect and timely care for the child.
Our communities can also help change attitudes towards caregiving. Religious and traditional leaders, health workers and community organisations should speak more openly about the shared responsibilities of mothers and fathers.
A father who takes his child to a clinic should not be mocked or treated as though he is doing something unusual. He is simply being a responsible parent.
Public-health messages should also speak directly to fathers and other caregivers, rather than addressing mothers alone. If vaccination campaigns continually show only women carrying children to clinics, they may unintentionally reinforce the idea that child health is women’s work.
Health facilities must also consider the realities caregivers face. Reliable vaccine availability, shorter waiting times, respectful treatment, flexible clinic hours and community outreach can make it easier for families to obtain care. Even the most supportive family will struggle if a caregiver travels a long distance to a clinic only to find that the vaccine is unavailable.
Government and health authorities therefore have an important responsibility. Families must play their part, but health services must be accessible and dependable, especially for people living in rural, underserved or conflict-affected communities.
Women’s access to money and household resources also affects child health. Vaccination may be free, but transport, time away from work and other indirect costs are not. A woman may have the right information but still be unable to act if she cannot access the resources she needs.
This is why women’s economic empowerment and participation in household decisions are also child-health issues. When women have greater access to resources and can participate meaningfully in decisions, they are often better placed to seek timely care for themselves and their children.
Of course, Nigerian families are different, and many fathers already take an active role in caring for their children. Many couples also make important family decisions together. The purpose is not to blame men or create competition between mothers and fathers. It is to make shared caregiving normal in every home.
Perhaps we need to change the question. Instead of asking only, “Did the mother take the child for vaccination?”, we should ask, “What did the family do to ensure that the child received the care needed?”
A healthy child benefits the whole family. The responsibility for achieving that health should not rest on the mother’s shoulders alone. It should be shared by fathers, families, communities and the health system.
Racheal Victor Pindar is a gender equality and social inclusion specialist with interests in women’s agency, inclusive public policy, unpaid care work and family well-being. She writes in her personal capacity.
