ASHH Foundation identify cultural barrier, others as hindrance to SRHR
By Samuel Luka, Bauchi
The Executive Director of Attah Sisters Helping Hands (ASHH) Foundation, Comfort Attah has identified factors such as cultural barrier and neglect from the family circles as some of the major fundamental issues hindering access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).
Comfort Attah who made this known recently in Dass local government area where the foundation interfaced with 50 Young Women and Adolescent Girls of reproductive age who bared their minds on SRHR, added that limited family planning options, Inadequate resources also formed part of the impediments to accessing SRHR as raised by the participants.
The ED said that the interface had provided insights and that ASHH Foundation’s initiative aims to empower young women and adolescent girls with the required SRHR knowledge and awareness and access to quality healthcare services.
According to her, Community support, engagement and advocacy for policy changes will also be adopted to address some of the challenges raised by the participants.
She then commended the GAC ASPIRE Project for the intervention, stressing that, “Together, we can promote SRHR awareness and empower adolescent girls in Bauchi State “
The Young Women and Adolescent Girls of reproductive age on their part, anticipated safe and enabling environment for enhanced knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) within their communities.
Their fears and concerns were some of the outcomes of an engagement organized by ASHH Foundation in partnership with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded Plan International’s ASPIRE Project held in Dass local government area recently.
The project had in participation, 50 young women and adolescent girls from the LG who were mobilized by ASHH Foundation’s team to share their perceptions on SRHR, with particular emphasis on their concerns and challenges in accessing safe and supportive environment for enhanced SRHR.
During the interface, some of the participants shared their personal experiences in a relaxed atmosphere that was facilitated by ASHH Foundation team.
Sharing her concerns, participant Lami Abubakar revealed that poverty and neglect from family plays a significant role in making discussions around sexual health a taboo and that, that in turn, also exacerbate SRHR challenges.
Another participant, Saudatu Umar disclosed that she avoid health facilities due to limited family planning options.
She specifically mentioned the 5-year implant instead of 2-3 month alternatives.