Meeting with Religious Leaders on the Draft Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion Bill
Report of the 2-Day Stakeholders’ Meeting with Religious Leaders on the Draft Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion Bill in Oyo State
ACCELERATING COMMUNITY COMMITMENT TOWARDS EXPANDING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN OYO STATE (ACCESS PROJECT).
FUNDED BY AMPLIFYCHANGE
REPORT OF THE 2-DAY STAKEHOLDERS’ MEETING WITH RELIGIOUS LEADERS ON THE DRAFT UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND UNSAFE ABORTION BILL IN OYO STATE HELD AT ACADEMIC SUITES, IBADAN.
NOVEMBER 19 – 20, 2025.
In line with its mandate to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and enhance health outcomes for women and girls in Oyo State, PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation) convened a two-day stakeholders’ meeting with religious leaders under the Accelerating Community Commitment Towards Expanding Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for Women and Girls in Oyo State (ACCESS) Project, funded by AmplifyChange.
The meeting was organized in response to the ongoing review of the Draft Oyo State Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion (Prevention and Regulation) Bill. Recognizing the significant influence of religious leaders in shaping community norms, values, and behaviors, the engagement aimed to provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive platform for dialogue, learning, and constructive input from religious leaders on the draft bill.
The convening highlighted the importance of aligning public health objectives with faith-informed perspectives to foster community ownership, acceptance, and sustainability of reproductive health interventions
Opening Session
The meeting began with participant registration and introductions, helping everyone get acquainted and setting a friendly tone. This was followed by a welcome address from the Executive Director of PLAN Foundation, Mr. Obatunde Oladapo, who explained the purpose of the meeting. He provided a clear overview of the draft bill, highlighting its public health focus, key points, and expected benefits, while encouraging participants to ask questions and actively engage in discussions. The two-day meeting was expertly facilitated by Dr. Stella Akinso and Mr. Siji Ganiyu, seasoned professionals in reproductive health, who employed interactive methods to ensure that all participants contribute, share ideas, and express diverse opinions.
Day One
Day One of the meeting focused on foundational discussions and presentations. Participants explored faith-based and traditional perspectives on reproductive health, highlighting shared values across Islamic, Christian, and indigenous religious teachings. The role of religious and traditional leaders in guiding, counselling, and educating communities on reproductive health issues was emphasized. A session on the public health impact of unsafe abortion outlined medical, social, and economic consequences. The day concluded with breakout sessions where participants reviewed the draft bill, considered its implications for faith and traditional communities, and shared concerns and recommendations towards strengthening community engagement.
Day Two
Day Two began with a recap of Day One discussions to reinforce shared understanding and clarify outstanding issues. Sessions focused on building support and consensus for the bill among religious leaders, introducing advocacy and community engagement strategies, and addressing ethical concerns and potential resistance. The day concluded with an open plenary where participants shared insights and actionable recommendations, culminating in the drafting and adoption of a communiqué reflecting their shared understanding, concerns, and commitment to ongoing engagement.
Key outcomes of the meeting included:
- Improved understanding among religious leaders of the draft bill and its public health rationale.
- Enhanced appreciation of the complementary roles of faith and public health in protecting women and girls.
- Strengthened capacity of participants to engage in informed advocacy and community dialogue
- Development of a shared communiqué outlining commitments and recommendations
Conclusion
The two-day stakeholders’ meeting was highly interactive, informative, and impactful. It strengthened the knowledge and engagement of religious leaders on the Draft Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion Bill and reaffirmed their critical role in promoting the health, dignity, and well-being of women and girls in Oyo State. PLAN Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to sustained engagement with religious and community leaders to promote inclusive dialogue, evidence-based advocacy, and durable community support for sexual and reproductive health interventions under the ACCESS Project.
Ifedayo Osemwegie,
Advocacy, Strategic Communication and Media Officer.
About Us
PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation), was the first independent support group for people with HIV (PHIV) in Oyo State in Southwestern Nigeria. It is on record that we had the opportunity to participate actively and notably in most of these processes.
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