Nigeria: Communique of the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Forum

A COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF A TWO-DAY ADOLESCENT SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (ASRH) STAKEHOLDERS’ ADVOCACY FORUM WORKSHOP HELD 9TH -10TH JUNE, 2010 AT THE NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA HALL, 120 AKPAKPAVA ROAD, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

Preamble: Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) Stakeholders’ Advocacy Forum Workshop organized by the Indomitable Youths Organization (IYO) with support from International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) had representative from the State Ministry of Youths and Sports, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Nigeria Medical Association (Edo State Chapter). 

Also participants were drawn from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Edo State and other relevant stakeholders. Papers were presented on gaps in ASRH strategic plan developed by Young Adult & Adolescent Reproductive Health (YAARH) Network in Edo State and Situation Analysis of ASRH in Edo State, Nigeria: Gaps and way forward.

Participants observed adolescent sexual and reproductive health gaps and recognized the strategic role stakeholders must play to meet these gaps. Participants therefore resolved as follows:

1. Indomitable Youths Organization takes the lead in resuscitating the YAARH Network in Edo State;
2. Recognises the existence of the 2004 -2009 Strategic Plan in Edo State and review where necessary and develop 2010 -2015 Strategic Plan;
3. Enforce all Youth/ Adolescent friendly laws enacted by the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) and punish where necessary offenders of the law; of the importance are the Female Genital Mutilation prohibition law, anti-prostitution and trafficking law;
4. A need for the expansion of the Family Life and Health Education in the school curriculum to include sexual & reproductive health education;
5. A high level of advocacy to the Oba of Benin, the Comrade Governor, Honourable Speaker of EDHA, the Media and other relevant stakeholders in the state to support Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health issues;
6. Government as a matter of urgency commit budgetary provision to ASRH activities in Edo State by way of paying counter-part fund to access donor funding; and
7. The need for urgent establishment of the Youth/ Adolescent friendly health services in the 18 Local Government Area of Edo State. 

Communiqué Committee:

1. Aigbe Omoruyi Foundation Builders Chairman
2. Anita Moses Association of Persons for the Secretary Protection of victims of human trafficking Association.
3. Bartholomew Okondo Women & Youth Member Empowerment Project
4. Eromomene O. Gregory I See Women & Children Member
5. Isokpeni Chris Bethshan Youths Organization Member