Stakeholders across Ogun State have called for intensified community education, youth-friendly health services, and stronger policy enforcement to protect the reproductive health rights of women and girls, following a series of town hall meetings held across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The engagements, organised by Gender Development Initiative (GenDi) in collaboration with the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), were held on May 14, June 5, and June 17, 2026, across Ogun East, Ogun West, and Ogun Central Senatorial Districts.
The meetings brought together youth leaders, women’s groups, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, health professionals, and local government representatives in what organisers described as a statewide push to deepen awareness and dismantle harmful socio-cultural barriers affecting access to reproductive healthcare.
The Executive Director of GenDi,Prof. Olubunmi Ashimolowo, said the initiative was designed not only to raise awareness but to drive behavioural change and community-led action on reproductive health rights.
Across the three senatorial districts, participants engaged in technical presentations and Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) exercises that challenged long-held beliefs on adolescent pregnancy, gender-based violence, and access to reproductive health services.
Discussions revealed persistent stigma around reproductive health issues, with participants noting that silence and misinformation continue to discourage adolescents and young women from seeking timely medical care.
Participants expressed concern over the limited availability of confidential and youth-friendly healthcare services, particularly in rural communities.
They also highlighted the persistence of myths and misconceptions surrounding reproductive health, warning that such narratives contribute to poor health-seeking behaviour and worsen preventable health risks among women and girls.
Cases of sexual and gender-based violence also featured prominently, with stakeholders calling for stronger prevention mechanisms, improved reporting systems, and survivor-centred response structures across communities.
During the technical session, facilitator Mr. Femi Shodiya emphasised that reproductive health rights are central to human dignity and sustainable development.
He underscored the need for improved access to accurate information, maternal healthcare services, and gender-sensitive policies, noting that families, schools, religious institutions, and government agencies all have critical roles to play.
Participants also explored issues such as safe motherhood, prevention of harmful traditional practices, and non-discrimination in healthcare delivery.
A dedicated youth engagement session encouraged participants to take up leadership roles in community sensitisation and advocacy.
Young participants were trained on how to drive awareness campaigns, engage policymakers, and promote evidence-based information within their communities.
Many of them pledged to serve as peer educators and mobilisers, strengthening grassroots advocacy on reproductive health rights.
The meetings recorded increased awareness of reproductive health rights, improved understanding of gender-related barriers, and a shift in attitudes among participants following the VCAT exercises.
Stakeholders also resolved to intensify community sensitisation on reproductive health rights ; expand access to youth-friendly health services ; strengthen youth-led advocacy and peer education ; engage traditional and religious leaders in combating stigma and misinformation ; improve collaboration between government, civil society, and community structures; and promote policies that protect women and girls from discrimination and violence.
Organisers commended participants across Ogun East, Ogun West, and Ogun Central for their active engagement, describing the discussions as a foundation for sustained advocacy and community action.
They urged stakeholders to sustain the momentum through continuous dialogue and strengthened partnerships aimed at ensuring that women and girls across Ogun State enjoy full access to accurate information, quality healthcare, dignity, and protection.
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