The Sustainable Impact and Development (SID) Initiative, together with its Gender Equality Champions, conducted an advocacy visit to the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA) on September 24, 2025, under the Gender Equality Fund (GEF) Project sponsored by Y+ Global. The visit aimed to enhance collaboration with LSACA and outline plans for a youth-focused communication toolkit designed to address sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) issues, as well as HIV awareness.

During the meeting, SID’s Programme Officer, Ms Gloria Williams, provided an update on the development of the GEF Project Communication Toolkit, explaining that the resource is intended to combat misinformation, reduce stigma, and address barriers to youth-friendly SRHR and HIV services. She emphasised the organisation’s intention for LSACA to co-develop the toolkit as a state-owned resource, ensuring credibility, ownership, and sustainability in its deployment across Lagos State communities.

“The toolkit is meant to be practical and responsive to the needs of young people. Collaborating with LSACA will help ensure it reflects local realities and gains wider acceptance,” Ms. Williams said.

The Gender Equality Champions also shared progress on their ongoing initiatives within the GEF Project, highlighting recent capacity-building sessions, a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness, and interactive radio programmes designed to amplify youth voices and address SRHR, HIV, TB, and malaria.

In response, the Chief Executive Officer of LSACA, Dr. Folakemi Animashaun, acknowledged the efforts of SID and its Gender Equality Champions in promoting adolescent and youth health.

“We commend the youth-led initiatives in addressing SRHR and HIV challenges. LSACA is open to collaboration and recognises the value of co-developing tools that directly respond to the needs of young people, particularly adolescent girls and young women,” she said.

Dr. Animashaun urged SID to convene a planning meeting with key stakeholders to ensure inclusivity and comprehensive input in developing the toolkit, which she said would strengthen its effectiveness and adoption across the state.

SID Initiative continues to prioritise partnerships with government agencies and stakeholders to amplify the voices of young changemakers and promote equitable opportunities for young women. As a youth-led non-governmental organisation, SID remains committed to advancing SRHR in both urban and rural communities through capacity-building, digital innovation, advocacy, and comprehensive sexuality education, ensuring youth-led solutions drive progress towards gender equality and inclusive development.