Folasade Bamisaye
I am the curator of the Young Women Arise Initiative currently working in Ilorin, North Central of Nigeria. The overall goal of the initiative is to give power to girls and women for them make right and informed decision about their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right. Through this platform, I have trained over 160 girls and young women at the grassroots on Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right through a three (3) days Ablaze Ladies Camp which provided the participants with the needed skills for them to make informed decision about their SRHR. Thereby reducing the risk of HIV/STI Infection, Unwanted pregnancy, reduced HIV and abortion related death and it has also improved menstrual hygiene and help girls to stay in school and decide when to say No or Yes to sex.
Due to lack of access to family planning, my mother had ten children. I lost three siblings before their 5th birthday due to malnutrition and lack of quality health care. The remaining 7 of us had to battle various diseases and struggle with limited resources to survive. I believe if my mother had access to family planning she will not have giving to ten children and will not have had to bury any child. I don't want women to go through what my mother went through. I want safe motherhood for all.
Societal/traditional norms. In Nigeria, it is a taboo for female to discuss family planning in the house. It being regarded as a male discussion and only them can make decisions on family planning. To overcome this, I've initiated series of advocacy at the community level to educate people on the importance of family planning, meet with service providers in the health facilities on the need to make their service delivery more friendly and accessible for girls and women and Ablaze Ladies Camp.
Nigeria is a great country with over 240 million people characterized with different geopolitical zones and cultures. However, the biggest challenge of family planning is poor access to basic family planning services for citizens residing in underserved communities. It is apparently very important to scale provision of basic access to family planning services through a close-door-service delivery on family planning that is more culturally sensitive and friendly to members of the community.
An improved access to comprehensive SRHR services which is inclusive of FP services.
A society where women can decides when to have babies and make informed decisions on their Sexuality.
A society where girls will remain in school not become dropout because of unwanted pregnancy.
Zero new HIV and STI Infections as a result of unprotected sexual intercourse.
A youth and women friendly FP service delivery.
All the above can be achieved through effective Advocacy and Ablaze Ladies Camp.
