By Joy Umo
A one-day educational forum aimed at equipping adolescent girls with vital information on their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) has been held in Calabar, with over 140 adolescents, teachers, and health workers in attendance.
Organised by Cypress Global Health in partnership with FP2030 and Women in Global Health (WGH) Nigeria, the forum forms part of ongoing efforts to empower young girls with accurate reproductive health knowledge to curb rising cases of teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse, and unsafe sexual practices.
Tagged “Voices of Change Learning Forum,” the programme took place at the POWA Secretariat Hall, Airport Police Barracks, Calabar, and featured students from six secondary schools across the city who engaged in drama presentations and interactive learning sessions.
In her welcome remarks, the Convener and CEO of Cypress Global Health, Mrs. Mfreke Anakan, said the event was designed to guide young girls toward making informed and healthy decisions about their bodies and future, while equipping them with the confidence to speak up for their rights. She explained that the initiative aligns with the FP2030 agenda and the EmpowerHer Health Fellowship’s mission to promote SRHR awareness and life skills among adolescents, adding that more interventions would continue across schools and communities.
A consultant gynaecologist at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Dr. Kommomo Iwara, emphasised the importance of early reproductive health education in reducing teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexual exploitation. She narrated real-life cases of adolescent girls harmed by unsafe abortions and noted that “family planning saves lives, supports safe motherhood, and enhances girls’ access to education.”
Also speaking, a reproductive health advocate with Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI), Mrs. Ndodeye Bassey-Obongha, dispelled myths surrounding family planning. She clarified that contraceptives do not cause infertility or encourage promiscuity, and emphasised abstinence as the most effective preventive method. According to her, any young person unable to discuss sex confidently with a partner is not emotionally ready for sexual activity.
The event also featured a panel session which called for stronger collaboration among parents, schools, religious institutions, and health professionals to better support adolescent girls. Recommendations included establishing reproductive health clubs in schools, promoting value-based mentoring at home and in places of worship, and empowering girls to resist sexual pressure and harmful influences.
A community pharmacist, Mr. Ebliss Ntekpere, highlighted the link between substance abuse and risky sexual behaviour. He warned that drug use impairs judgment and exposes adolescent girls to exploitation. He also advocated for youth-friendly health services, parental involvement, and peer-led education to help young people make safer choices.
Although some schools were absent due to mid-term break and internal school policies, the organisers extended participation to adolescents from the police barracks community, who are considered more vulnerable to high-risk behaviour.
Commenting on the success of the programme, Mrs. Anakan, who is also an EmpowerHer Health Fellow, pledged sustained engagement with adolescents. She announced plans for follow-up sensitisation, mentorship programmes, and documentation of success stories to scale the initiative to more schools and communities across the state.
Participants pledged to champion their health rights and support FP2030’s goal of expanding access to contraceptives and promoting healthy adolescent development in Cross River State.