HACEY Pushes For Sexual Reproductive Health Rights

HACEY has stressed the need to improve outcomes of sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among adolescent and young people in Nigeria by equipping them with media skills and capacity building initiatives.

The SRHR initiative is expected to drive advocacy campaigns in five states which include Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun in a bid to develop advocacy campaigns and improve outcomes of sexual reproductive health rights for young people.

The project, which focuses on building the capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and young people, aims to digitise sexual reproductive health and rights information.

Speaking at a training session held in LCCI House in Lagos, HACEY programme manager, Olubukola Olumuyiwa Oluwabukunmi said the initiative seeks to equip young people with the skills to create content and advocate for sexual reproductive health and rights using social media platforms, media tools, and other digital channels.

She mentioned that the project has trained young people from various institutions, including LASU, LASUCOM, UNILAG and YABATECH, to become champions of sexual reproductive health and rights in their respective institutions and communities.

“These young champions are expected to provide correct information to their peers, show them where to access the right services, and advocate for issues related to sexual reproductive health and rights,” she said.

On her part, a medical professional, Dr Ayomide Fayinto emphasised the importance of safe abortion practices and the need for young people to have access to contraceptive services. She noted that the law in Nigeria restricts abortion but does not make it entirely illegal.