International Universal Health Is A Human Right: Up close and personal with an International Student from Nigeria

Advocate. Community Engagement. Community Organizer.Judith Oviosun came from Nigeria to study medicine at the University of Manitoba. Along the educational pathway which Judith found herself recognized by being placed on the prestigious Dean’s list, she saw areas where International Students’ voices were not being heard. She quickly discovered that to create change, you had to more than just talk about it. You needed to find a seat at the policy decision making table.During her time studying at the University of Manitoba, Judith Oviosun has served as Youth President of the Nigerian Association of Manitoba, she has been elected the Women’s Community Representative – University of Manitoba Student’s Union, and spent time as the President of the University of Manitoba’s Nigerian Student’ Association.In each of these and other roles, Judith Oviosun has pursued a role in leadership advocating for human rights. She argues passionately the myth that International Students do not make financial contributions to the healthcare they receive. In fact, all International Students pay taxes on their tuition and they pay taxes while working part time.Understanding that health budgets take up a big part of government spending, and that International Students participate in the make-up of that health budget, Judith Oviosun believes that Universal healthcare is a human right that should be as barrier free as possible.During the conversation Judith talks about her involvement with The Alliance for Gender Justice in Migration. The Alliance for Gender Justice in Migration is a network of people with lived experience, academics, advocates, and service providers across Canada who are actively working together to end discrimination against women and gender diverse migrants. They conduct research, develop policy solutions, raise public awareness, and advocate for change by platforming the voices of those with lived experience.A Transcript of the show is Available here