CRH tasks civil society, media on sexual reproductive health

The Project Director, Centre for the Right to Health (CRH), Mr. Bede Eziefule has called for an increase in the promotion of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country.Eziefule said based on the fact that the issues relating to sexuality were not adequately talked about, it has become imperative to sensitise the populace about them.Eziefule made this call on Wednesday at the closing ceremony of a three day workshop organised by the CRH for civil society groups and the media to sensitise them on their roles in increasing awareness for sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country.Besides, he noted that there was lack of adequate SRH centres where young people could visit to access information about their sexuality. In addition, he lamented that there was limited access to the few available centres due to their states that was unfriendly to youths.The Director said that critical issues that needed to be tackled about in the country as regards to sexual reproductive health were harmful cultural practices such as circumcision, women's health rights, family planning techniques and men's involvement in family planning.He said that adolescents did not have the opportunity to gain knowledge about their sexuality and rights as most youth centres were not friendly, making it uncomfortable for them to access services rendered.'The few youth centres available are not friendly to the youths when they come in for information and advice thereby making it less appealing for them to want to go there', he said.He added that fear of disclosure to family members and laws prohibiting young people under 18 from getting tested for HIV also impeded young people from visiting available centres.Eziefule said that if sexual reproductive health education was promoted, the rate of rape, sexually transmitted diseases, abortions, unwanted pregnancies and overpopulation in the country would drastically reduced.'Sexual health is a very important aspect of health as it highlights some critical issues affecting the health of Nigerians in one way or the other.'Adequate awareness for sexual and reproductive health will go a long way in reducing STDs, abortions and overpopulation', he said.
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