VSI Hosts High-Level Stakeholders’ Meeting to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Osun State
By Abisola Ariwodola,
Vision Spring Initiatives, VSI, convened key actors in Osun for a High-Level Stakeholders’ Meeting on Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, SRHR, in the State.
The meeting which held at Aenon Hotel and Suites, Governor’s Road, GRA, Osogbo, brought together stakeholders from the religious and traditional bodies, ministry of women affairs, children and social welfare, ministry of health, Hospital management board, development partners, State primary Healthcare, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Nigeria Police Force, Federation of Female Lawyers, influencers, Civil Society Organisations, among others.
In her submission, Ngozi Nwosu-Juba, Project Director, VSI stated that Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, SRHR, covers the right of all persons to make informed decisions about their bodies, health, and sexuality without discrimination, coercion, or violence.
She added that Survivors of GBV, should be given the right of making their choice to undergo safe abortion in case the rape result into pregnancy, adding that improving the health and well-being of women, girls, and other vulnerable groups in Osun State should be made priority.
She opined to the stakeholders that the project pushes for review progress and advancement on existing SRHR policies and programs in Osun, Strengthen collaboration between government, development partners, and CSOs, Identify gaps, and agree on actionable steps to improve service delivery, among others.
Also the Programs Lead, Mrs Titilopemi added that with Osun State prioritizing health sector reforms, this high-level engagement provides an opportunity to align partners and fast-track implementation of the state’s SRHR commitments.
She emphasised that the Sexual Reproductive Health Right SRHR contributes directly to reducing teenage pregnancy, unsafe abortions, maternal mortality, and HIV transmission. It also empowers women and girls to stay in school, participate in the economy, and live free from violence.
Earlier in her remarks on brief about VSI, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Dr Adetutu stated that Vision Spring Initiatives is a Nigerian non-profit organization focused on promoting health equity, gender equality, and human rights. VSI works across states in Nigeria to strengthen health systems, expand access to quality healthcare, and advocate for policies that protect vulnerable populations, especially women, girls, adolescents, and persons with disabilities.
She added that through partnerships with government agencies, donors, and civil society, VSI implements programs in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Maternal and Newborn Health, HIV/TB and other infectious diseases, Gender-Based Violence prevention and response, and Community systems strengthening.
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