Gimbiya Akapson
My work has engaged me in mentoring over 3000 adolescent in-school girls & over 500 out-of-school girls(including adolescent mothers) on life skills concerning their SRH practices & educational training of literacy/numeracy skills in rural communities. I organized & participate in various advocacy projects that delve into the unmet needs of FP in rural areas.I’m involved in advocating for Child Right Act to be domesticated & implemented in my state;this is important for girls to remain in school & to eliminate early marriage especially for girls in rural communities, this will in turn strengthen girls’ rights to their SRH.I also engage in efforts to make ASRH information paramount by addressing the gender/social barriers to ASRH & helping people access accurate information on FP services.
The adolescent girls/mothers I work with ignited my passion for sexual and reproductive health & FP advocacy because of the unmet needs of FP in their rural communities.I further realized that adolescent mothers at the grassroots need to be at the center of FP discourse to break circles of poverty by eliminating fear of unintended pregnancies.I am very happy to openly advocate for FP & undoubtedly,this is a strong tool in helping adolescent girls reach their maximum potentials. This I stand for!
I coordinate advocacy programs among relevant stakeholders & at the community level; I organize adolescent girls/mothers mentor-ship programs & health campaigns to increase access to SRHR information & services. The mentor-ship programs is to educate & create awareness among this adolescent girls/mothers of their sexual & reproductive health practices & to secure better access to contraceptives.
Using the grants I will advance my work by:
-Conducting community engagement to sensitize 200 traditional and religious leaders in rural communities on the benefits of women and girls’ access to FP products and services.
-Initiate a standard adolescent girl’s mentor-ship program to equip 25 girls from rural communities on advocacy skills towards organizing advocacy campaigns for the girls to share their stories on challenges faced while trying to access FP product & services.
