Day of African Child: Expert harps need for reproductive health awareness in adolescent stage
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
No fewer than 1,000 children in Gombe on Saturday, were sensitised on reproductive health, and other rights, while commemorating day of the African Child.
With the theme: 30 years after the adoption of the charter: Accelerate the implementation of agenda 2040 for an African fit for children.
The children were gathered from 2 local government areas of Balanga and Dukku; 250 from Cham, 250 from Talase, 250 from Malala and 250 in Dukku town respectively.
Speaking at an event organised by Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation in partnership with Save the Children International (SCI), with funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), a gender and reproductive health expert, Uzezi Ukah said the commemoration would help both government, parents to take responsibility of children, adding that basic knowledge on reproductive health would rule out unwanted pregnancies among adolescents.
According to him, based on a midterm review conducted by Save the Children International in the Reaching and Empowering Adolescents to make Choices for their Health (REACH) project, 54 percent of male partners of adolescent girls feel their spouse has a right to make her own Sexual Reproductive Health decisions, noting that it was 47 percent previously.
Ukah said, “Day of African child helps stakeholders, government to focus on the challenges faced by children towards finding solutions.
“Here, in Balanga there is this fear in the minds of adolescents concerning sexual reproductive health, some times they are not aware about the changes in their system. A day like this is geared towards enlightening them about ways and means of going about it, from who they can talk to and the kind of help in the community.
On his part,Vice Chairman of Balanga Local Government; Hon. Ezekiel Salamu, said the LGA has become better for it, as more adolescents have become aware since the inception of Reaching and Empowering Adolescents to make Choices for their Health (REACH), project.
“Alot has been achieved on the adolescents reproductive health in Balanga LGA through the REACH project because both parents and adolescents have taken ownership of the health of their children.
“This has so far increased access to health facilities, many of them have been cured from the diseases that they have been suffering by making informed choices. We encourage facilitators to come again so as to help those that are yet to be trained to benefit,” Salamu said.
Also, Mrs Grace Samuel, Executive Director of Kishimi Shelter and Care Foundation, while addressing stakeholders in Dukku Town, appealed for more support for children.
She called on government, philanthropists, caregivers, parents, teachers and CSO’s to push for the rights of children.
Samuel said, “There is need for government, caregivers, parents to take responsibility of their wards, by providing basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, safe environment for learning.”
Speaking, Manager REACH Project, Ibrahim Istifanus, said the day is celebrated to raise awareness of the need to improve the quality of education provided to African children.
“Some of the hindrances to the domestication of the child right act includes; lack of exposure, tradition, religion, system of Education and Nigeria constitution,” Istifanus added.
However, some of the participants who spoke to our correspondent expressed enthusiasm about what they have learnt, stressing that they have been trained to make informed choices.
While discussing on the non-domestication of child right act, none prosecution of perpetrators of Gender Based Violence, Parental Care, Access to sexual reproductive health services among others. The Children urged religious and traditional leaders to be in the forefront of the advocacy, sensitization of parents, implementation of child right in school.
Esther Abdon, a 15-year old girl, said “As youth we have been sensitised on how to make informed choices especially as it relates to our reproductive health. We have have been told not to be scared about our health matters. I look forward to more of this type of opportunity.”
Esther Solomon, a 16-year old student said “I’m really happy because some of the stakeholders present have promised to help us with proper legislation that will improve an average child. Prior to now, I can’t speak to my parents about my health or pains I’m experiencing due to fear but now I can speak about my challenges pertaining to my wellbeing.”
18 year-old, Merima Buba, stated that without knowing his right, access to medical facilities would become impossible.
He said, “Alot of times we just remain at home without knowing that we can get access to the hospital or to the pharmacy to access drugs.
“Even if I don’t have money I have come to understand that I can go to the hospital, you can ask to be examined, so that next time you will make payment if necessary.”
