HACEY, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health, economic inclusion, and rights of vulnerable populations across Africa has emphasized the need to boost sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) outcomes among adolescents and young people in Nigeria by equipping them with digital media skills and advocacy training.
As part of this effort, HACEY is driving an SRHR advocacy project across five states—Oyo, Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun—aimed at building strong, youth-led campaigns to raise awareness and improve access to accurate information and services.
The initiative is focused on training Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and young people to digitize and share SRHR information using social media, media tools, and other digital platforms.
During a training session held at LCCI House in Lagos, HACEY Programme Manager Olubukola Olumuyiwa Oluwabukunmi highlighted the goal of empowering young people to become SRHR advocates. So far, students from institutions like LASU, LASUCOM, UNILAG, and YABATECH have been trained as SRHR champions in their schools and communities.
“These young champions are expected to provide correct information to their peers, direct them to appropriate services, and lead conversations around SRHR,” she said.
Adding a medical perspective, Dr. Ayomide Fayinto underlined the importance of safe abortion practices and access to contraceptives for youth. She pointed out that while Nigerian law restricts abortion, it is not completely illegal.
