1ST COMMUNITY CONFERENCE ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS

The 1ST COMMUNITY CONFERENCE ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS took place in ijanikin, Lagos State for in-school girls as an added strategy to achieving the ICPD goals and objectives for girls and further increased the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights knowledge of over 120 girls including few women within the local council to make an informed decision and develop their potentials.

The conference was attended by the wife of Oto Awori Local Council Development Area, Ojo Local Government and her Permanent Secretary, head teachers and students of various schools represented.

There was various presentations on importance of sexual and reproductive health on HIV/AIDS prevention, speak out to end sexual violence, breaking the cycle of adolescent pregnancy and effect of culture and religion on the social growth of a girl. Poem on the reproductive rights of a girl and a drama presentation on the importance of educating the girl child.

Sexual and reproductive ill health concern includes death and disability related to pregnancy and childbirth, sexually-transmitted infections, HIV and AIDS, and reproductive tract cancers. Sexual and reproductive ill health accounts for at least 20 per cent of the burden of global ill health for women of reproductive age (15-44 years) and some 14 per cent for men. These figures may underestimate the full burden as they exclude menstrual disorders and some respiratory tract infections. Of all human development indicators, those for sexual and reproductive health reveal the largest gaps between low income and developed countries and the inequities between rich and poor people within countries.