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YOLA, Nigeria (NAN) - At least 75,000 adolescent girls are anticipated to benefit annually from a reproductive health project sponsored by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Adamawa.
A maternal and newborn health expert at UNICEF Abuja, Dr. Victoria Isiramen, shared this information during a roundtable discussion on Wednesday in Yola.
The meeting was facilitated by the Adamawa Government in partnership with UNICEF, UNFPA, and the EU.
Rocketparrot News reports that the adolescent girls will gain from the "Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (SARAH)" initiative in Adamawa.
She mentioned that the project would indirectly reach around 175,000 individuals in the region.
This four-year initiative will be rolled out in Adamawa, Kwara, and Sokoto States in Nigeria. Isiramen emphasized that investing in adolescent girls is essential for realizing a global demographic dividend.
She noted that Nigeria has about 60 million adolescent girls who require support to evolve into change-makers for the future.
Chief of Field Office at UNICEF Bauchi, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, praised the Adamawa government for its commitment to healthcare services. She specifically acknowledged the state government's efforts to tackle the issues faced by adolescent girls.
She encouraged these girls to be informed about their rights concerning health, sanitation, education, and protection from harmful practices and abuse in their communities.
"This initiative is significant for you, as you are the future mothers of tomorrow. You must be strong and educated to ensure the success of future generations," she remarked.
Furthermore, Dr. Bashir Suleiman, the Executive Chairman of the Adamawa Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA), mentioned that over 1,000 health facilities in the state provide welcoming health services for adolescents, including addressing gender-based violence.
He stressed the importance of equipping adolescent girls with mental health education as future mothers and leaders. "By doing this, we empower them to continue their education and pursue careers, becoming economically valuable members of society," he stated.
Director of Community Health, Rashida Tahir, highlighted the crucial role adolescent girls play in promoting health education among their peers and the broader community.
She added that with backing from the SARAH project, they could make notable advancements, including forming community clubs led by adolescent girls, which are aimed at enhancing their quality of life.
