HFDI, Jhpiego call for stronger media action against stigma, GBV in Kwara

 

By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

The Executive Director, Hope for Family Development Initiative (HFDI), Dr Stephen Akinyele has urged journalists and social media influencers to intensify advocacy against stigmatisation and discrimination of Gender Base Violence (GBV) victims in Kwara.

Akinyele made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin at a sensitization meeting with newsmen on Stigma, Rights Abuse, GBV and Discrimination.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that programme is organised under the Advancing Integrated Health Services Delivery for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Communicable Diseases (CDs) Project.

Akinyele explained that the project is funded by Global Fund through National AIDS and STIs Control Programme.(NASCP).

According to him, it aims to strengthen integrated SRHR and communicable disease services across Offa, Asa and Moro LGAs.

“HFDI has reached 50,000 community members with SRH Social and Behaviour Change messages.

“It has also sensitised 250 community and religious leaders, facilitated 30 community-led initiatives on stigma and discrimination, and organised 50 referral coordination meetings,” he said.

Akinyele added that HFDI had facilitated and documented 2,470 completed referrals, while also strengthening community engagement, coordination, linkages, and partnerships for SRHR and CDs service delivery.

He urged the media to disseminate accurate and stigma-sensitive information and, challenge harmful misconceptions.

The executive director appealed to them to protect the privacy, confidentiality and dignity of people living with HIV, adolescents, GBV survivors and other vulnerable groups.

Also speaking, Dr. Chioma Oduenyi, the
Project Director, John Hopkins Program for International Education in Gynaecology and Obstetrics (jhpiego) said the project integrates SRHR services.

Oduenyi, who was represented by Jhpiego State Team Lead, Mr. Williams Awotunde explained that the services include HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and sexually transmitted infection intervention.

“Jhpiego supports 15 PHC centres across Offa, Asa and Moro LGAs, providing training, mentoring, supportive supervision and monitoring to strengthen frontline healthcare delivery,” she said.

The project director said the integrated approach would help reduce the time and cost of accessing healthcare, while the project also promotes skilled birth attendance, which reduces maternal and newborn mortality.

“There is need to address stigma and GBV through community engagement involving traditional and religious leaders, Ward Development Committees and other community structures,” she stressed.