By Halima Idris
As part of efforts geared towards empowering young women and adolescent girls with knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), ASHH Foundation, in partnership with Plan International’s ASPIRE Project, with funding from Global Affairs Canada, has launched an initiative to address the challenges and barriers faced by the young women and adolescent girls target in accessing Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Fifty (50 ) young women and adolescent girls from Dass LGA, of Bauchi State 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.
In an engaging interaction, some of the participants shared their personal experiences in a relaxed atmosphere that was facilitated by ASHH Foundation team.
One of the participants, 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”.
Sharing her thoughts, another participant Lami Abubakar revealed that poverty and neglect from families also exacerbate SRHR challenges.
Speaking on the sideline with our correspondent, 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
- Limited family planning options
- Inadequate resources and
- Cultural barriers
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.
- Access to quality healthcare services
- Community support and engagement, and
- Advocacy for policy changes
She then commended the Global Affairs Canada funded Plan International’s ASPIRE Project for the intervention, stressing that, “Together, we can promote SRHR awareness and empower adolescent girls in Bauchi State “