HFDI Advocates SRHR, Safe Schools and GBV Prevention at St. Patrick Grammar School, Gbongan
By Abisola Ariwodola,
Hope for Family Development Initiative, HFDI, has taken its Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, SRHR, Advocacy and Safe School campaign to St. Patrick Grammar School, Gbongan, in Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State.
The engagement was part of the O3 Project – _Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future_ – a youth-focused intervention aimed at promoting the health, safety, and rights of adolescents.
The HFDI team was received by Mr. Falola O.R., an administrative staff member who represented the school management.
During the advocacy meeting, HFDI gave an overview of the O3 Project, implemented by HFDI, describing it as an adolescent-centered initiative designed to deliver age-appropriate SRHR education, life skills, HIV prevention, and support for safe and inclusive learning environments.
The team sought the school’s collaboration to ensure smooth implementation of project activities. Mr. Falola welcomed the initiative and assured HFDI of the school’s support for programs that promote students’ welfare and holistic development.
Following the meeting, the team conducted a Safe School Monitoring exercise using the approved questionnaire. The assessment covered the school’s general environment, classroom conditions, sanitation facilities, security, and existing child protection mechanisms.
HFDI said the exercise helped to identify the school’s strengths and areas needing additional support to enhance learner safety and well-being.
After the school visit, HFDI moved to the community for a sensitization session with adolescents: males and females.
The Program Officer, Comfort Alagbile facilitated discussions on SRHR, Gender-Based Violence, GBV, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV.
Participants were taught about their rights and responsibilities, making informed health decisions, and accessing adolescent-friendly health services. The session also covered forms, causes, and consequences of GBV, with emphasis on personal boundaries, saying “No” to abuse, and reporting incidents to trusted adults or authorities.
On HIV, adolescents received accurate information on transmission, prevention, and common myths. They were told HIV cannot be spread through hugging, handshakes, or sharing meals, and were urged to avoid stigmatizing people living with HIV.
The session ended with a Q&A and trivia game, where three adolescents with correct answers received prizes. HFDI said the interactive approach helped to reinforce lessons and assess understanding.
HFDI noted that the visit strengthened collaboration with St. Patrick Grammar School and created a foundation for O3 Project activities in Gbongan.
“The Safe School Monitoring provided useful insights into the school’s environment, while the sensitization equipped 27 adolescents with knowledge to make informed decisions and promote a safer school and community,” the organization stated.
The O3 Project, according to HFDI is being implemented to ensure adolescents are empowered with accurate information and protected in both school and community settings.