Report on Stakeholders’ Consensus Meeting
Stakeholders’ Consensus Meeting on Prevention of Unsafe Abortion and Provision Of Comprehensive Reproductive Health Education Among Secondary School Students in Oyo State
STAKEHOLDERS’ CONSENSUS MEETING ON PREVENTION OF UNSAFE ABORTION AND PROVISION OF COMPREHENSIVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OYO STATE
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN CONFERENCE CENTER
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2024.
(ACCESS PROJECT) FUNDED BY AMPLIFYCHANGE
The 1-day consensus meeting on the prevention of unsafe abortion and comprehensive reproductive health education, under the ACCESS Project, was a successful one. The workshop, held at the University of Ibadan Conference Centre, brought together a diverse array of stakeholders committed to addressing pressing reproductive health challenges and fostering sustainable solutions.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
The workshop commenced with an introduction of the distinguished guests, anchored by a staff member of PLAN Foundation. This was followed by a warm welcome address delivered by the Executive Director of PLAN Foundation, who emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing reproductive health challenges in Oyo State and beyond.
The Project Manager of PLAN Foundation subsequently presented an overview of the ACCESS Project. This presentation provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the project’s objectives, its scope, and the progress made thus far, setting the tone for the day’s deliberations.
KEY SESSIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
Session 1: Challenges and Opportunities in Providing Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Education
This session was led by Dr. Patricia Olusayo Ogunmola, a healthcare worker is the facilitator, she delivered an insightful presentation titled “Providing Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Education for Women and Girls: Challenges and Opportunities.” Dr. Ogunmola adeptly highlighted the barriers to accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and education, including sociocultural stigmas, policy limitations, and resource constraints.
Participants actively engaged in discussions, brainstorming innovative solutions to these challenges. The session shows the importance of integrating community-driven approaches and leveraging existing healthcare frameworks to improve access and education.
Session 2: Addressing Unsafe Abortion
Mr. Siji Ganiyu delivered a pivotal presentation on “Unsafe Abortion: Causes, Effects, and Solutions.” Drawing from empirical data, Mr. Ganiyu shed light on the medical, social, and economic factors contributing to unsafe abortion practices in Africa, with a particular focus on Nigeria. He emphasized the health risks associated with unsafe abortions and discussed strategies for prevention, including improved access to family planning services, community education, and policy reforms.
This session provided actionable insights and encouraged participants to consider how these strategies could be tailored and implemented at the grassroots level.
Session 3: Stakeholders Mapping and Baseline Survey Feedback
The consultant overseeing the Mapping and Baseline Survey, Mr. Bello Adetokunbo, shared feedback from stakeholders. His presentation offered a detailed analysis of the survey results, identifying key trends and gaps in reproductive health services across target communities. This data-driven approach highlighted areas requiring urgent attention and informed the project’s strategic priorities.
Session 4: Monitoring and Evaluation – Project Indicators and Milestones
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer provided an overview of the project’s deliverables, indicators, and milestones. This session outlined the metrics that will be used to assess progress, ensuring accountability and alignment with the project’s goals. Particular emphasis was placed on ELP Program targeting secondary school students, aiming to empower young people with comprehensive reproductive health education.
CONCLUSION AND OUTCOMES
The consensus meeting successfully fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, educators, policymakers, and community representatives. The discussions and presentations emphasized the importance of:
Enhancing Access to SRH Services:
Addressing socio-cultural and systemic barriers to ensure women and girls can access the care they need.
Community Engagement:
Building trust and partnerships within communities to drive awareness and acceptance of reproductive health initiatives.
Policy Advocacy:
Advocating for policy changes that support safe abortion practices and comprehensive reproductive health education.
Youth-Focused Interventions:
Prioritizing educational programs for secondary school students to empower the next generation with knowledge and skills for informed decision-making.
The outcomes of this meeting will serve as a foundation for subsequent phases of the ACCESS Project, with a shared commitment to reducing unsafe abortion rates and enhancing reproductive health education in Oyo State.
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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