Empowering Voices: HFDI Engages Faith Leaders in Offa on SRHR and Rights Protection
Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI) recently met with religious leaders at Hassalatu Sherifdeen, Oke Shawo, Offa, engaging the faith leaders on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and rights protection.
The meeting aimed to strengthen the capacity of religious leaders to address stigma, discrimination, gender-based violence (GBV), and rights abuses, while promoting SRHR within their communities.
Ramat Sarafadeen of HFDI opened the session by acknowledging the leaders’ ongoing efforts in community development and moral guidance, noting their role in shaping a healthier and more responsible society. She introduced the organization and its vision of building a healthy and empowered society.
The participants discussed the need to reduce stigma by creating safe and supportive spaces where individuals, especially young people, can access services without fear.
Discussions also focused on GBV, highlighting common forms within the community and the role of leaders in speaking up, guiding victims, and linking them to appropriate support services.
Sarafadeen emphasized that everyone has the right to quality healthcare and to live free from violence and discrimination, and She urged the leaders to challenge harmful norms where necessary and to support young people with accurate information and referrals to youth-friendly services at nearby PHCs.
The session was interactive, with leaders sharing real-life experiences and practical approaches to handling such issues within their congregations, while they were encouraged to serve as SRHR champions and to take the conversations back to their religious platforms and group meetings.
Hope for Family Development Initiatives HFDI at the programme sponsored by Jhpiego, a global non-profit health organisation maintained that the engagement strengthened the role of religious leaders as key influencers in addressing stigma and GBV.
The organization stated it’s expectation of continued commitment of the faith leaders to the discussions to improve awareness and promote positive health-seeking behavior across communities in Offa, Kwara State.