African Youth and Adolescents Network on Population and Development (AfriYAN) Nigeria, Abuja chapter with support from UNFPA, Pathfinder International, AIDS healthcare foundation, Marie stopes International Nigeria (MSION) with Education as a Vaccine (EVA) has commemorated International Condom Day (ICD) female condom awareness campaign in Abuja.
The event which took place within the University of Abuja main campus on the 13th February 2020 was aimed at sensitizing students on the use and importance of male and female condoms, as well as to raise more awareness and enlighten the students by strategically promoting the use of female condoms in University of Abuja.
According to the Organisers, “This campaign is imperative due to lack of adequate information, social and religious perceptions, negative bias, poor scio-economic conditions faced by the students in and around the university of Abuja environment on the use of female condoms”.
“The campaign target is to reach out to over 1,000 students of University of Abuja on the use of female condoms and to make sure that as adolescents, they are educated about their sexual reproductive health & rights (SRHR), sexual & gender-based violence as well as family and life planning skills. AfriYAN Nigeria (Abuja chapter) had its objectives for the campaign which were to;
–Address negative perceptions about the female condoms.
– Reduce unintended pregnancies by increasing usage among students.
– Reduce the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections.
–Educate students about their sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The orientation of the program was led by Ayo Adegbola of AfriYAN, Precious Anslem and Adeiza Umoru conducted HIV test on all participants, which seventy five (75) were councelled and tested.
Dr. Kalu Onyekachi and Naomi Oboyi of (MSION) facilitated a talk show on sexually transmitted infections and SRHR services provided by the organisation.
Kosi Izundu of Pathfinder International facilitated a training on female condom use and importance and also spoke on importance of female condom and why it is necessary for young people to take charge of their sexual lives.
Fortune Mbangson of UNFPA also took lead in sensitizing the students on sexual and gender based violence and their SRHR as young people, Onche Inalegwu of (EVA) spoke on their organization’s apps which comprises of Link Up, Frisky and Diva, explaining how youth friendly these platforms can be for interested in getting SRHR information and services.
Incentives were given to students by some facilitators to liven up their session, there were games, dance and other activities to liven the event.
Students who were present at the event expressed their gratitude to AfriYAN and other partners for providing resourceful information about their sexual and reproductive health and also providing them female and male condoms and other incentives.
Ikenna Ugwumba of AfriYAN Nigeria (Abuja chapter), in his Vote of Thanks acknowledged the school management and all partners who made the event colorful and also students of the University of Abuja who were present.
He further stated that the network will not relent ensuring that adolescents and young people in Nigeria and Africa aren’t left behind as we accelerate in the decade of action.