Osun Group Seeks Support for Women’s Reproductive Health Rights

 

By Atlantic Reports

The Olabode Youth and Women Initiative has called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community influencers in Osun State to support women’s sexual and reproductive health rights and address practices that expose them to avoidable harm.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Mr Moroof Olabode, made the appeal at its third quarterly stakeholders’ dialogue in Osogbo on Thursday.

The meeting, themed “Advancing safe abortion policy reform through stakeholders’ engagement in Osun State”, focused on community engagement, access to accurate information and women’s participation in decisions affecting their reproductive health.

Information and Access to Care

Olabode said women needed comprehensive, understandable information to make informed decisions about sexuality, pregnancy and reproductive healthcare.

He expressed concern about unsafe pregnancy termination methods and harmful traditional practices, saying myths and misconceptions could delay access to medical attention.

“There should be availability of quality healthcare services and prevention of harmful practices,” he said.

“Leaders must champion informed and safe practices to ensure that their communities remain healthy.”

He also cautioned against unskilled childbirth practices and misinformation about vaccines and sexual health.

Community Leaders’ Role

Olabode said trusted community figures influenced public attitudes, cultural acceptance and family decisions about healthcare.

He urged them to use that influence to support women’s access to health education and services, rather than reinforce barriers to care.

Civil society organisations, the media, community associations and advocacy groups also had responsibilities to connect communities with healthcare systems through education, advocacy and service delivery, he said.

A facilitator, Mr Shola Oluwafemi, similarly urged participants to address reproductive health misconceptions carefully to prevent avoidable harm.

He said traditional myths and religious beliefs should not prevent women from accessing modern healthcare, adding that community health required collective responsibility.

Policy Reform Details Remain Unspecified

Although the dialogue focused on abortion policy reform, the account of the meeting did not identify the specific legal or policy provisions the organisation wanted changed, or outline a timetable for its advocacy.

The meeting was an advocacy engagement, rather than an announcement of a change in policy.

Participants included persons with disabilities, non-governmental organisations, religious leaders and media professionals.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.