Developing Climate Change Solutions

Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, Deputy Managing Director, Strategy, Technical and Growth at SFH

By Precious Olayinka

At the 2024 Future of Health Conference which was held on October 24, 2024, the Society for Family Health (SFH) hosted a panel session on climate resilience and adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Nigeria. Experts in climate change and reproductive health came together to discuss innovative approaches, address barriers, and explore collaborative opportunities to ensure climate action. These experts include Jane Ogugua, Deputy Project Director for A360 Nigeria Project; Dr. Jennifer Anyanti, Deputy Managing Director, Strategy, Technical and Growth at SFH; Ramatu Iyimoga, Meaningful Adolescent and Youth Engagement Lead for Adolescent 360); Aisha Farida Aminu, Co-founder of Thinkgreen and Abubakar Shuaibu, Founder and CEO of  Green Energy Mission Africa. 

Here are the key insights shared by the panelists.

Emphasizing Innovation and Collaboration

Jane set the stage by highlighting the urgency of innovative solutions to tackle climate change alongside adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues in Nigeria. Recognizing the complexity of these challenges, she outlined several barriers to equitable access to health services for adolescents, such as cultural, religious, structural, and socio-economic constraints. 

Geographic, Financial, and Knowledge Barriers

Dr. Jennifer stressed the importance of collaboration and learning from one another. She detailed several significant barriers young people face when accessing reproductive health services. First, she pointed out geographic and infrastructure barriers, sharing a poignant example of a flooded Primary Healthcare Center in Jigawa, which left adolescents in that area without critical health services.

She also discussed financial barriers, noting that many young people struggle to afford family planning medications, especially since many lack jobs or financial support. She highlighted the knowledge barrier, particularly in rural areas where understanding of climate change’s impact on community health is limited. One of her stories was particularly impactful: a young girl contracted HIV due to the lack of affordable sanitary pads, underscoring how financial and educational barriers intersect and affect health outcomes.

Cultural Barriers and Gender-Based Inequalities

Aisha continued the discussion, addressing the cultural taboos around female reproductive health that restrict open conversations and create barriers for young people. She emphasized how climate change compounds gender-based inequalities, especially for adolescent girls seeking reproductive health services. Extreme weather events—such as floods and droughts—limit access to healthcare, making it challenging for women to manage their reproductive health in climate-affected areas.

Aisha also highlighted the work of Think Green Foundation in addressing these issues by planting trees to help mitigate climate change impacts and strengthen community resilience. This initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but also improves overall health and wellbeing in affected areas.

Sustainable Energy for Health Resilience

Abubakar, discussed the importance of sustainable energy solutions for strengthening climate resilience and improving healthcare services. He explained how the organization provides capacity building, advocacy, and raises awareness around energy access, particularly in Nigeria’s rural areas. Abubakar shared how the organization’s partnerships with international and local bodies have improved energy infrastructure in healthcare settings.

The role of renewable energy during the COVID-19 pandemic was especially significant, he noted, as healthcare facilities equipped with renewable energy systems could continue delivering services despite increased demands. Abubakar’s stories highlighted the profound impact that sustainable energy has on maintaining reliable healthcare services in challenging times.

Engaging Youth as Active Partners in Solutions

Ramatu brought the focus to youth engagement, stressing that young people are not only the majority population in Nigeria but also have the skills and insights to drive meaningful change. Ramatu introduced the ‘ladder of youth participation’, advocating for moving beyond tokenism by co-creating solutions with youth and providing them with the tools and spaces to make a real impact. Safe spaces for youth engagement, she argued, are crucial to harness the full potential of young Nigerians in developing sustainable, resilient health and climate solutions.

Overcoming Challenges and the Power of Collaboration

Jane prompted panelists to reflect on the challenges and opportunities in creating effective adolescent sexual and reproductive health interventions. Dr. Jennifer encouraged persistence and a focus on long-term impact, sharing her organization’s journey from modest beginnings to significant influence. She underscored the importance of partnerships, noting that many successful initiatives are built on collaboration and shared vision. Her advice to young people was to stay committed to their goals and seek partnerships to maximize their impact.

This event provided a wealth of insights on tackling complex and intersecting issues of climate resilience and adolescent reproductive health. By exploring innovative strategies and fostering collaboration across sectors, Nigeria can take stride toward a healthier, more equitable future. Panelists underscored that the path forward relies on committed partnerships, sustainable energy solutions, and genuine youth engagement. Together, these elements form a strong foundation for overcoming the current barriers and creating impactful, lasting change.

At Shades of Us, our mission centers around promoting equality and creating sustainable solutions for pressing social issues, including climate change and reproductive health. The insights from this discussion resonate deeply with our commitment to empowering communities through innovative and collaborative strategies.

Addressing the barriers that adolescents face, especially in Nigeria, aligns with our vision of building equitable access to health services and sustainable environments. By engaging the youth, prioritizing climate resilience, and advocating for gender equality, we can contribute to lasting change and elevate the voices of those most affected.

What are your thoughts? Join the conversation in the comments below and let us know how you believe we can drive sustainable change in health and climate resilience.