By Danhassan Abubakar
Young Women and Adolescent Girls of reproductive age in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State have expressed their concerns and hopes in seeing that safe and enabling environment is provided for enhanced knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) within their peer groups.
Their fears and concerns were some of the outcomes of an engagement organized by ASHH Foundation in partnership with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded Plan International’s ASPIRE Project, recently held in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Fifty (50 ) young women and adolescent girls from Dass LGA were mobilized by ASHH Foundation’s team to share their perceptions on SRHR, with particular emphasis on their concerns and challenges in accessing safe and supportive environment for enhanced SRHR.
During the interface , some of the participants shared their personal experiences in a relaxed atmosphere that was facilitated by ASHH Foundation team.
Sharing her concerns, participant Lami Abubakar revealed that poverty and neglect from family plays a significant role in making discussions around sexual health a taboo and that, that in turn, also exacerbate SRHR challenges.
Another participant, Saudatu Umar disclosed that she avoid health facilities due to limited family planning options. She specifically mentioned the 5-year implant instead of 2-3 month alternatives.
For Jamila Abu, inadequate knowledge on family planning hinders her decision on choices, while Sadiya Usman barred her mind saying, “Cultural barriers restrict our access to SRHR information and services”.
Speaking during the engagement , Executive Director of ASHH Foundation, Comfort Attah said that the interface between the participants and resource persons has clearly established some fundamental concerns that impedes access to SRHR.
Attah enumerated some of the major concerns that include: neglect from the family circles and limited family planning options.
Attah also said that Inadequate resources and cultural barriers were some of concerns raised by the participants.
The ED said that the interface had provided insights and that ASHH Foundation’s initiative aims to empower young women and adolescent girls with the required SRHR knowledge and awareness and access to quality healthcare services. She said Community support, engagement and advocacy for policy changes will also be adopted to address some the challenges raised by the participants.
She then commended the GAC ASPIRE Project for the intervention, stressing that, “Together, we can promote SRHR awareness and empower adolescent girls in Bauchi State “
