Stakeholders across Oyo state have converge on Ibadan for an inaugural meeting to kickstart a project focused on advancing gender equality and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).
The initiative is being implemented by Make Her Smile Africa (MHSA) and Committed Soul Women’s Health Initiative (COSWOHI), with support from the Gender Equality Fund (GEF).
Blueprint reports that the meeting brought together representatives from government bodies, NGOs, healthcare institutions, and legal advocates.
Discussions focused on tackling cultural stigma, lack of safe spaces, and affordability of SRHR services.
MHSA’s Executive Director, Ibukunoluwa Idundun, charged participants to take bold steps, declaring: “Every girl must feel safe, seen, and supported—not tomorrow, but today.”
A panel session titled “Nothing For Us Without Us” featured young advocates who shared personal stories, calling for more inclusive and responsive systems. Government officials reaffirmed ongoing reforms, including the deployment of grievance officers and gender-based violence response centers.
The event closed with stakeholders signing commitment cards to publicly pledge their support for the rights, safety, and agency of girls and young women in the state.