The AIDS Healthcare Foundation Nigeria has expressed worry about the increasing rates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections and teenage pregnancies throughout the nation.

Steve Aborisade, the Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF Nigeria, highlighted the pressing necessity of providing young individuals with the necessary tools, services, and knowledge to empower them in making informed choices.

To address these concerns, the organization intends to conduct a series of initiatives centered around the theme ‘Fostering Health and Education Through Comprehensive Sexuality’ as part of the ongoing “ProtectTheChild Campaign” in observance of the International Day of the African Child 2024.

This theme resonates with the global 2024 IDAC theme, ‘Education for All, and the Time is Now’, emphasizing the vital role that education, particularly Comprehensive Sexuality Education, plays in improving health outcomes among young people.

“The emphasis on age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) stems from the increasing rates of new HIV infections and teenage pregnancies, highlighting the urgent need to equip young people with proven tools, services, and information.” He noted.

The Advocacy Manager noted that evidence from research shows that providing age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) can lead to a significant decrease in HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), gender-based violence, and unplanned pregnancies among adolescents and young individuals.

He highlighted, “The International Day of the African Child observed annually on June 16th, honours those who participated in the 1976 Soweto uprising and has since become a symbol of raising awareness about the rights of African children.

“Since 2022, AHF Africa has strategically leveraged this day to highlight the importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for the health and well-being of young people, in furtherance of their right to health and education.

“AHF Africa will host various live and virtual activities across its country programmes to engage key stakeholders, community leaders, parents, teachers, and young people on the importance of investing in CSE and galvanise community support for its implementation in schools and communities.

“This year, AHF Nigeria will be hosting a consultative meeting, in the form of a Focus Group Discussion (FGD), with students and other young people, and that will have officials of government agencies and parastatals in attendance, to give young people an opportunity to contribute their ideas about how CSE can foster health and education towards achieving life goals.”

Furthermore , in the statement, AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, Dr Echey Ijezie, noted, “AHF’s commitment to fostering CSE stems from the outcome of extensive global research, which highlights its many benefits – including a reduction in early sexual engagement, fostering positive attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health issues, reducing the tendency to engage in risky behaviours, strengthening of self-awareness, and equipping young individuals with knowledge to combat HIV, STIs, and unplanned pregnancies, while challenging harmful gender norms.”

Ijezie explained that the #ProtectTheChild campaign seeks to counteract the backlash and misconceptions surrounding Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), which have hindered its effective implementation, and that the event aims to facilitate constructive dialogue and garner support for age-appropriate CSE.