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Strengthening Community Demand for Reproductive Health-Related Laws and Policies in Lagos State: A Leadership Initiative for Youth Empowerment (LIFE) Program
By Prince Benson Davies
Stakeholders across Lagos State have renewed calls for urgent action on reproductive health policies following a two-day workshop organized by the Leadership Initiative for Youth Empowerment (LIFE) in Festac Town.
The workshop, held on March 11 and 12 at Sunfit Hotel, brought together healthcare professionals, government representatives, religious leaders, civil society actors, students, and community leaders to strengthen grassroots demand for reproductive health-related laws and policies, particularly those addressing unsafe reproductive healthcare and maternal health.
Among those in attendance were participants from the Ministry of Health’s Adolescent Health Unit in Alausa, medical and social welfare officer of General Hospital Mushin, St. Paul Anglican Church, Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, GRA Ikeja and Civil society representatives.
Participants described the gathering as a “critical dialogue on rights, realities, and responsibility,” underscoring the need to address persistent barriers preventing women and girls from accessing safe reproductive healthcare.
Opening the sessions, Mary Udoh, the facilitator, emphasized that sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) must be understood as a core human rights issue. She noted that the ability to make informed decisions about one’s body, access reliable health information, and obtain safe medical services is fundamental to dignity and gender equality.
“Reproductive health is directly linked to dignity, empowerment, and gender equality,” Mary Udoh said, urging communities to become more familiar with Lagos State policy provisions relating to pregnancy termination.
Her remarks set the tone for discussions that examined not only legal frameworks but also the cultural and social realities shaping reproductive health outcomes in the state.
A major focus of the workshop was the Lagos State Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) Guidelines, which were designed to provide a framework for safe reproductive health care services to women in Lagos State before its suspension.
The Participants expressed concern over the suspension of the guidelines, warning that policy uncertainty has created confusion among healthcare providers and increased risks for women seeking care.
Mary noted that when policy implementation remains unclear, vulnerable populations are often left with limited safe options.
They emphasized that community engagement and advocacy are essential in ensuring that reproductive health policies are effectively enforced.
“The absence of clear guidelines does not eliminate the need for services; it only increases the risks,” one participant remarked during the session.
Beyond policy debates, the workshop also explored harmful social norms and stigma surrounding reproductive health.
Through interactive group exercises, participants identified cultural beliefs that contribute to unsafe reproductive healthcare practices and discussed strategies for community-based education.
Religious leaders present acknowledged the importance of fostering open conversations within faith communities. Some noted that silence and stigma continue to discourage individuals from seeking timely reproductive health services.
The event’s diverse participation reflected the multi-sectoral nature of reproductive health challenges in Lagos.
Attendees deliberated on practical strategies for influencing policy decisions, including identifying key actors responsible for reinstating the suspended guidelines and exploring platforms for amplifying community voices.
Discussions also addressed ethical considerations in advocacy, particularly how healthcare workers’ experiences can be documented and shared without compromising confidentiality.
By the close of the workshop, stakeholders agreed that addressing reproductive health challenges requires coordinated action across government institutions, health systems, and community structures.
Onyinye Enenwa, LIFE program assistant, described the initiative as part of a broader effort to build sustained grassroots advocacy and ensure that reproductive health policies translate into real improvements for women and girls across Lagos State.
As participants prepared to return to their respective communities, many expressed hope that the dialogue would lead to concrete policy action.
The program has taken a significant step in strengthening community demand for reproductive health-related laws and policies in Lagos State, provided a platform for stakeholders to engage and discuss issues around sexual and reproductive health and rights SRHR, and laid the groundwork for future advocacy efforts.
“The real work begins when we return to our communities,” a youth representative said, reflecting a shared commitment to turn discussion into impact.
