Action Health, UN, partner to enhance access to sexual, reproductive health
By Oluwafunke Ishola
A non-governmental organisation, Action Health Incorporated, says it is partnering with the United Nations agencies to provide young people with resources and information on sexual and reproductive health.
Mrs Adenike Essiet, the Executive Director of the organisation said in Lagos on Wednesday that the aim was to empower the youth to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.
At the inauguration of the Softlife 247 website in Lagos, she noted that the website — www.softlife247.com — is an educational platform.
According to her, it is designed to provide young people with comprehensive, accurate and age-appropriate friendly information and services on sexual and reproductive health.
She explained that the online platform was developed in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
She also said that the platform would transform the way young people access information about their sexual health, their rights and life planning, either at home or on their mobile devices.
“It’s not just the presentation of another online or digital platform, it’s the launch of a new gateway that enables young people to access information that’s crucial on their journey to adulthood.
“So that they’re not just going through life blindly, they’re going through life with information that’s grounded in science, that recognises the challenges that they may be facing and properly directs them.
“This is what self-learning is all about. A life free of the stress of going through challenges blindly.
“It lessens opportunities to make mistakes and create greater opportunities to make informed decisions”, she said.
According to her, ActionHealth has more than 35 years of providing opportunities for the development of young people’s health and wellbeing.
She said that access to timely and accurate information for youths was particularly critical, especially in the era of fake news and misinformation.
Essiet noted that the initiative was a collective achievement built on the values of partnership, respect and dedication to youth empowerment.
She commended UNFPA and UNESCO for their unwavering commitment to the health and development of young people.
Similarly, Dr Gifty Addico, UNFPA Resident Representative in Nigeria, said that empowering young people with knowledge, skills and values critical for their sexual reproductive health was at the core of UNFPA’s mission.
Addico, represented by Dr Esther Somefun, Gender and Reproductive Health Analyst, UNFPA, said that more than a third of Nigeria’s population comprises young people who are faced with barriers in accessing sexual reproductive health.
“We came together and saw the need to bring about a solution. A solution that will provide privacy, provide accurate information and that will have fun with it”, she said.
She explained that the platform would address the challenges faced by young people as it has topics such as values, rights, culture, sexuality, relationships, personal health and skills, among others.
Earlier, Mrs Rashidat Umar, the Deputy Director, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, commended the organisation and the UN agencies for creating a youth-friendly digital platform.
Umar said that the Lagos government was passionate about young people and would support initiatives that would assist them to thrive.
Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal, the General Manager, Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs, commended the partners for creating a disability-inclusive platform.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Kayode Olaitan
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