A non-governmental organization, Action Health Incorporated (AHI), has conducted a training program for teachers across Ekiti State on adolescent sexual reproductive health education. The initiative aims to prevent teenage pregnancy and other related issues in schools.
Training Details
The three-day training was held in collaboration with the Ekiti State Ministry of Education and supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It took place in Ado-Ekiti over the weekend, bringing together teachers from public and private secondary schools across the three senatorial districts of the state.
Empowering Teachers
Fatimah Idris, the Programme Officer of AHI, stated that the initiative is designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to educate young people on sexual and reproductive health issues. She explained that Comprehensive Sexuality Education is an age-appropriate, curriculum-based approach that helps young people acquire life skills and accurate information to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Idris noted that discussions around sexuality education are often treated with sensitivity, despite their importance for the healthy development of children and adolescents. “We are empowering teachers so they can step down the training to students in schools and communities. We want young people to be well informed about their bodies, their health and how to make healthy decisions that will positively shape their future,” she said.
Addressing Harmful Practices
One of the facilitators, Funsho Olajide Benjamin, highlighted Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a major challenge affecting girls and women in Ekiti State and across Nigeria. He emphasized the need to educate children early through trained teachers to prevent harmful traditional practices and reduce cases of abuse among young people.
“We believe teachers are in the best position to shape the minds of young people. By training them, they can return to their schools and pass the knowledge to students so they do not become victims of harmful practices,” he stated. Olajide noted that many participants were exposed for the first time to issues relating to sexuality education, referral pathways for gender-based violence (GBV) cases, and child protection systems. The workshop also focused on life skills such as assertiveness, communication, and self-awareness. Teachers from special schools were included to ensure that students with disabilities were not left out of the advocacy campaign.
Legal Frameworks
Lawyer Rita Ilevbare exposed participants to relevant laws against social vices, especially FGM and child rights law, as well as referral pathways. She urged teachers to take advantage of the established linkages to report cases of abuse and FGM against students, contributing to a protective system.
Participant Feedback
One of the participants, Titilayo Igbalajobi, described the program as impactful and timely. She stressed that the knowledge acquired during the three-day workshop would greatly assist teachers in guiding adolescents and addressing challenges confronting young people in society. Igbalajobi said the training exposed participants to practical ways of communicating with teenagers and helping them make informed decisions. She added that teachers have a responsibility to transfer the knowledge gained to students and colleagues in their respective schools. She advocated for regular and continuous training programs of such nature, expressing optimism that sustained awareness and education would contribute to building a better and more responsible society in the future.
