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| Ramatu (Shades of Us) and Bernard (EVA Nigeria) Discussing “Rethinking Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for the Young Nigerian.” on Montage Radio |
On July 5, 2025, Shades of Us and Education as a Vaccine (EVA Nigeria) joined the Health 360 program on Montage Radio, 99.7 FM, Abuja to discuss “Rethinking Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for the Young Nigerian.” This conversation was inspired by the ongoing SRHR Policy Dialogue hosted by Nigeria Health Watch (with support from Organon) on July 3, 2025.
During the broadcast, we highlighted the importance of respecting the rights, voices, and agency of young people in shaping SRHR outcomes. When young people are empowered and informed, we see meaningful reductions in unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and harmful reproductive decisions.
Here are some of the responses we gave to the questions during the session.
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Q: What is the real picture of SRHR access in Nigeria today?
A: Access to SRHR information and services remains limited, unequal, and often stigmatized, especially for adolescents and young people. It is further compounded by the fact that comprehensive sexuality education is missing in most schools or is incomplete. Many youths rely on peers, the internet, or unverified sources for SRHR information, which leads to misinformation and risky behaviors. These results in high rates of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, gender-based violence, and lack of access to modern contraceptives persist. Rural areas and marginalized groups (e.g., adolescents with disabilities) face even greater barriers.
Q: Policies and implementation — where are we missing the mark?
A: Nigeria has several progressive SRHR policies (e.g., National Policy on the Health and Development of Adolescents and Young People), but implementation is weak. Budget allocations for youth-friendly SRHR programs are also inadequate or not released. Health workers often lack training in youth engagement, confidentiality, and non-judgmental care. Data collection is inconsistent, making it hard to track progress or tailor services to youth realities. And the biggest point where we are missing the mark is with religious and cultural resistance, which often undermines policy rollout, especially at the state and local levels.
Q: What does “youth-friendly services” actually mean?
A: Youth-friendly services are accessible, acceptable, equitable, appropriate, and effective for young people. It means:
No judgment or shaming.
Confidentiality and privacy are respected.
Opening hours and locations that suit young people's lives (e.g., after school or weekends).
Affordability or free services for adolescents.
Information and counseling that is age-appropriate and inclusive.
Q: How can a facility be “friendly”?
A: We need to train staff in non-discriminatory, empathetic care specifically for adolescents and young people. We also need to create safe spaces within clinics with youth-focused signage, materials, and trained counselors. Equally as important is ensuring privacy, especially because many young people avoid services because of the fear of being seen or judged. Communicating with young people also has to be a two-way street. Feedback systems where young people can anonymously rate or suggest improvements are one way to keep communication bi-directional. Finally, we should provide integrated services — combine SRHR with general youth services (e.g., mental health and substance use support).
Q: What does respect look like in SRHR service delivery? What does it feel like?
A: Respect in SRHR delivery is multidimensional: what it looks and feels like.
Looks like: Being listened to without judgment; not being rushed or talked down to.
Feels like: Dignity, autonomy, and being seen as a full human with the right to make informed decisions.
It must include informed consent, choice, confidentiality, and the ability to ask questions freely.
Respect also means recognizing diverse identities and experiences, including those of gender-nonconforming youth and young people with disabilities.
Q: How can we balance respect for cultural/religious values with the right to access life-saving information?
A: The first point is to frame SRHR as a health and human rights issue, not a moral or religious battle. We can do this by emphasizing shared values (protecting life, dignity, and the future of young people) and engaging faith and traditional leaders early as partners — many are open once they understand the health impacts. We also need to focus on evidence-based messaging around preventing maternal deaths, reducing HIV, and supporting education — these are goals everyone shares. And if we create customized, context-sensitive messaging that doesn’t threaten cultural identity but still upholds rights, we can move the needle forward.
Q: How do we deal with the fear that teaching SRHR will “spoil our children”? Is ignorance really safer than education?
A: The research is clear: education delays sexual debut, reduces risk-taking, and improves communication and decision-making. Therefore, ignorance doesn’t protect youth — it exposes them to misinformation, coercion, and unsafe practices. When we don’t educate our children, someone else — or the internet — will. We must shift the mindset from “spoiling” to “empowering” young people with tools to protect themselves. And we can focus on age-appropriate, culturally relevant content — not graphic, but grounded in values and facts.
Q: If you had five minutes with a state governor, what would you say to convince them to prioritize youth SRHR?
A: “Data shows that states with better SRHR outcomes also have better education, employment, and health indicators. You can become a champion governor for youth and leave a legacy that lasts beyond your tenure — the next generation will thank you.”
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Rethinking Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for young Nigerians is not just about policy, it is about power: the power to choose, to be heard, to be safe, and to thrive. As a society, we must confront the uncomfortable truths about the barriers our youth face and actively dismantle them. Respecting the agency of young people means moving beyond token gestures and truly investing in their health, education, and future.
At Shades of Us, we believe we owe it to this generation — and the next — to ensure that SRHR is not a privilege for a few, but a guaranteed right for all. The time to act is now.
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