NGO calls on media to advocate for sexual reproductive health rights

By Olajide Idowu

An NGO, Olabode Youth and Women Initiatives (OYAWIN), has appealed to the media to accurately report and enlighten the public on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHRs).

The executive Director of the NGO, Mr Moroof Olabode, made the appeal in Osogbo at a two-day capacity building for Media Executives on Transformative, Human Rights Based and Advocacy On Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.

Olabode said that the training was to build and strengthen the capacity of media executives in promoting reproductive health in the country.

He said that media support was needed to bridge the gap between SRHRs policy and practice, by ensuring that every individual had the opportunity to information and necessary enlightenment on their SRHRs.

According to him, access to SRHRs in the country is still below internationally acceptable standards and government efforts at improving it is still low.

Olabode, however, appealed to the media to use their various medium to effectively advocate for SRHRs in the country.

“OYAWIN, with the support of Amplify Change, is advocating for the promotion of SRHRs, which include right to life, liberty, healthcare and security of women and girls on the society. Over the past couple of years, we have tried to make reproductive health issues among young girls a topic of seriousness. So, it is joyous and a triumph when community leaders, media and policy makers amplify this voice. It is through properly placed policies and programmes that we can tackle SRHRs challenges”, he said.

In his presentations, Mr Olufemi Olusola, a public health consultant, said that the media must be aware of several important considerations to ensure accurate, sensitive and informative coverage while reporting on SRHRs.

“In reporting SRHRs, the media must ensure that the data used is accurate, up-to-date, and from reputable sources like World Health Organisation (WHO), Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and local health ministries,” he said.

NAN reports that media executives at the training unanimously agreed to support the NGO in promoting SRHRs through accurate reportage. (NAN)