By Joshua Oladipo
The Olabode Youth and Women Initiative (OYAWN), an NGO, has urged stakeholders to support efforts to improve women’s access to sexual and reproductive health information and services in Osun.
The Executive Director of OYAWN, Mr Moroof Olabode, made the call at the organisation’s third quarterly dialogue with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community influencers in Osogbo on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was themed “Advancing Safe Abortion Policy Reform Through Stakeholders’ Engagement in Osun State”.
Olabode said women needed accurate and accessible information to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and avoid complications associated with unsafe abortion practices.
He urged community leaders to use their influence to promote positive attitudes towards reproductive health and ensure women could access appropriate healthcare services.
He said civil society organisations, the media, community associations and advocacy groups had important roles in bridging gaps between communities and healthcare providers through education, advocacy and service delivery.
Olabode also urged community leaders to address cultural beliefs, misconceptions and harmful practices that could prevent women from seeking medical care.
“Leaders must champion informed and safe practices to ensure that their communities remain healthy,” he said.
He expressed concern that myths and misconceptions surrounding sexual and reproductive health sometimes delayed access to medical attention.
Earlier, an OYAWN facilitator, Mr Shola Oluwafemi, urged stakeholders to address misinformation and misconceptions that could expose women to avoidable health risks.
Oluwafemi said traditional myths and religious beliefs should not prevent women from accessing modern healthcare services.
He said community health was a collective responsibility and called for sustained advocacy and stronger healthcare systems.
NAN reports that persons with disabilities, NGO representatives, religious leaders and media professionals attended the meeting. (NAN)
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni
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