ACCELERATING COMMUNITY COMMITMENT TOWARDS EXPANDING SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN OYO STATE (ACCESS PROJECT) FUNDED BY AMPLIFYCHANGE

REPORT ON 1-DAY STAKEHOLDERS’ CONSULTATIVE MEETING IN PREPARATION FOR PUBLIC HEARING FOR DRAFT UNPLANNED PREGNANCY AND UNSAFE ABORTION BILL IN OYO STATE.

DATE: 5TH SEPTEMBER, 2025

VENUE: ACADEMY SUITES, HALL, IBADAN, OYO STATE

INTRODUCTION

The 1-day stakeholders’ consultative meeting was convened by PLAN Health Advocacy and Development Foundation (PLAN Foundation) under the ACCESS Project, with support from AmplifyChange. The meeting was organized as part of the preparatory activities leading to the Public Hearing on the Draft Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion (Prevention and Regulation) Bill, 2025 in Oyo State.

The consultative session sought to create a platform for diverse stakeholders to engage with the provisions of the draft bill, review its contents, and provide valuable inputs to strengthen the framework before the public hearing. The event was timely, coming shortly after the bill received its first reading on July 30, 2025, at the Oyo State House of Assembly.

OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING

• The key objectives of the consultative meeting were to:
• Provide an overview of the ACCESS Project and its advocacy progress.
• Present and review the draft Unplanned Pregnancy and Unsafe Abortion Bill.
• Facilitate multi-sectoral dialogue and obtain stakeholder recommendations for enriching the bill.

• Strengthen collaboration among government agencies and civil society in preparation for the public hearing.

ATTENDANCE

The meeting recorded strong participation from critical stakeholders, including:

• Government Ministries and Agencies: Ministry of Justice, Oyo State Primary Health Care Board, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion.
• Legislature: Representatives of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
• Civil Society: PLAN Foundation and partner organizations.
• Faith Leaders: Islamic religious leaders.

This broad representation enriched the discussions and ensured inclusive stakeholder input.

PROCEEDINGS

The meeting commenced at 11:00 a.m. with registration, followed by an opening prayer and introductions.

• Update on ACCESS Project: Delivered by Mrs Ifedayo Osemwegie, Program Officer for the ACCESS Project, who highlighted the project’s achievements to date, particularly the strategic advocacy efforts that led to the first reading of the bill.
• Presentation of the Draft Bill: Facilitated by Mrs. Leye Ojemuyiwa, Program Manager, who provided a detailed explanation of the draft bill.
• Discussion Session: Moderated by Mr. Obatunde Oladapo, Executive Director of PLAN Foundation, the session was interactive and allowed participants to critically review the draft bill, share perspectives, and suggest improvements.