UK and US aid funding cuts in Nigeria have impacted the country’s women and girls more than other groups, MPs were told on Tuesday.

Nigeria has been among the hardest-hit countries as many Western governments have slashed overseas development budgets to increase defence spending.

At the International Development Committee’s first hearing on the impact of aid cuts on global health in Africa, MPs were told that UK government cuts had impacted water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programmes in Nigeria significantly, putting women and girls at risk.

“WASH is one of the lowest-funded areas in UK government support to Nigeria. WASH enables girls to stay in school, enables them to manage their menstruation effectively, enables women to give birth safely, and protects the lives of children under 5,” Evelyn Mere country director of Water Aid Nigeria said.

“The UK government says one of its priorities is that it will educate girls, empower women and make sure their voices are heard.…