In commemoration of World Contraceptive Day, the Lagos State government, in partnership with The Challenge Initiative (TCI), and Heartland Alliance, has launched a grassroots awareness campaign in Agege local government area of the State, aimed at promoting the use of modern contraceptives and improving family planning education.
The event, which saw the convergence of healthcare professionals, community leaders, and youth advocates, focused on dispelling myths surrounding contraceptive use and highlighting the importance of family planning for the health and economic well-being of individuals and the society at large.
Health education officer, Adewuyi Temitayo, in an interview with LEADERSHIP, explained the benefits of family planning. She harped on the recovery of a mother before getting pregnant with another child and the affordability of taking care of the children. Additionally, Temitayo mentioned that women should be observants of symptoms that were not in their body before taking family planning and report to the health center.
She emphasised the state government’s commitment to providing accessible reproductive health services, while noting that contraceptive use remains a critical tool in preventing unplanned pregnancies and maternal mortality. “Our goal is to reach every woman and young person with the right information and access to safe, affordable contraceptive options. Through collaborations with partners like TCI, we are ensuring that our communities are empowered to make informed choices about their reproductive health,” the health educator averred.
The Agege outreach featured free medical consultations, distribution of contraceptives, and educational sessions aimed at both women and men. Local youth leaders were also trained to act as peer educators, engaging with their communities to spread awareness and tackle the social stigma often associated with contraceptive use.
“We want to ensure that every person, regardless of where they live, has access to the full range of family planning services. By collaborating with the Lagos State Government, we are bringing these services directly to the people who need them the most,” Temitayo averred.
World Contraceptive Day, observed globally every September 26, is dedicated to raising awareness about contraceptive options and encouraging responsible family planning to improve reproductive health outcomes worldwide.
Program coordinator, Surulere local government, Nathan John, added “Contraceptives do not have side effects unless you visit quack doctors”. He emphasized on the number of children that are out of school in Nigeria and how it can be controlled if people make proper planning on childbirth and give enough spacing between their children.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ayobami Ronke, a petty trader said, “As a mother of six, I didn’t know I could do family planning until I saw this people today.” She expressed her heartfelt gratitude and hope other women get to benefit from it.
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