‘Women deserve access to information on contraception’

Development Communication Network (DevComs) has said that women deserve access to quality and accurate information on safe, effective, affordable and acceptable contraception of choice.

In a statement made available to The Guardian in Jalingo, Taraba State, yesterday, the group noted that communities with access to sexual and reproductive health services and information were known to delay childbearing in times of fiscal uncertainty such as the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) presented.

The statement signed by the Programme Director, Akin Jimoh, noted that the recent World Contraceptives Day (WCD) themed ‘Be Safe Not Sorry’ was centred on improving awareness of contraception to enable young people, especially women, to make informed decisions with their Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH).

The group expressed sadness at the increase in sexual activities among young persons, who probably have little or no knowledge about contraception. This, it observed, might lead to unplanned pregnancies, which often lead to abortions and sometimes end in tragedy.

According to him, this year’s WCD is also an opportunity to address the challenges of women in the context of COVID-19 and the need for the media to continue to raise awareness on SRH.

DevComs reiterated its commitment to work with the media, adding that the proactivity of government and partners in providing women with options to access quality and convenient SRH services would help in bridging the gaps.

“There is the need for sustainable media engagement of all stakeholders to address the vulnerabilities revolving around SRH challenges faced by women, for them to live healthy lives.

On his part, the Head of Operation of the Network, Akinlolu Akinpelumi, reiterated that the network would continue to work with the media and urge practitioners to continue to raise awareness on sexual reproductive health, including child-spacing and its benefit to women, as well as the overall wellbeing of families.