Olu Samuel, Lokoja
A non-governmental organization, Save the Child Health and Empowerment Initiative (SACHEM), has begun campaigns to promote reproductive and sexual health education in Nigeria Schools .
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony of the newly birthed NGO, in Lokoja on Monday, the founder of SACHEM, Sylvia Kamsiyochukwu Nnuekwe said the organization is also committed to reducing all forms of Sexual and Gender based Violence in Nigeria.
Sylvia, a 19-year old undergraduate of Public Health noted that, SACHEM is a non-profit organization dedicated to making a lasting impact in the world and more importantly, the lives of the next generation here in Nigeria in terms of good health.
“This initiative is based on my desire to create awareness and provide information and support to children and adolescent girls in Nigeria in the areas of health, hygiene, and safety.
“SACHEM also symbolizes my unwavering commitment to being part of the change I wish to see in the areas of health, environmental, and gender issues in Nigeria
and I am glad that at 19, I am finally realizing this dream that I had while still in secondary school years ago.
“Our mission is to lay the foundation of good health and contribute to forming a healthy and safe world for children and adolescent girls to be empowered enough to fulfil their dreams while our goal is to build a sustainable platform for promoting children and adolescent girls’ health, hygiene and gender-based needs in Nigeria in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDG) goals three and five. It may also interest you to know that our core values are equality, collaboration, innovation, service, and integrity, and we hold strongly to these, ” she said.
She mentioned free distribution of hygiene kits and health books to girls, physical workshop and training, performing arts, free counselling and rehabilitation, media campaign as some of the tools that would be used to achieve the organization goals and objectives.
Sylvia maintained that, if the nation gets it right in terms of keeping children and adolescent girls healthy both physically and mentally, they will be able to make the desired impact in their immediate communities and the world at large.
Continuing, she added, “For this reason, we plan to set up what we call ‘healthy girls for impact’ club in schools. It’s a health club for girls that is also open to boys to learn about sexual and reproductive health, hygiene, gender and environmental based issues.
” I am delighted to announce that we have already commenced the outside school quarterly meetings of the ‘healthy girls for impact’ club where part of the activities include free distribution of hygiene kits, health talk and counselling by a team of expert mentors and counsellors”
She admonished the boy child to be part of her project, adding that they play an important role in reducing sexual and gender based violence and bridging the gender gap.
Sylvia averred that, her organization has the vision for a world free of all harmful practices affecting children and adolescent girls’ health, safety and general wellbeing so that, they can be free to dream and live well to achieve those dreams.
Sylvia stressed the need for continuous education, adding that survivors should not be afraid of speaking out when they are victimized by perpetuators of sexual and gender based violence.
While making reference to the data released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that one in three women have experienced physical or sexual violence from their intimate or non-intimate partner in Nigeria, Sylvia explained that it is very worrisome that 17 million Nigerian women have experienced intimate or non-intimate violence.
Co-Founder of SACHEM Constance Ogonna Egwuatu stressed the need to aggressively address the issues of sexual and gender based violence in the country.
She admonished the government to introduce a sexual health education in schools adding that this will help to stem the negative trend of sexual violence in our society.
The co-founder of SACHEM, however, warned youths to desist from any form of sharp practices stressing that they should be advocates of a better Nigeria.
A member of SACHEM and the twin brother of the founder Stanley Nnuekwe, in his welcome address, said “this isn’t just something she is doing randomly but a dream come true for Sylvia and I urge everyone to give her the needed support for the sake of our future.”
Also speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor on Legislative Affairs Hon. Haruna Idoko commended the founder of SACHEM for this initiative, adding that the State Government will partner with the NGO towards putting an end to Gender and Sexual based violence in our society.
“This is indeed a laudable initiative. We must commend the founder of SACHEM for coming up with this project with the aim of putting an end to this societal menace. Kogi State Government will partner with this organization towards ensuring that their mission and vision are achieved, ” he stated..
In their various presentations, the current Miss Digitest, Abdulkadir Aisha Aitine, Isaac Uganeojo Liberty, and Amechi Princess all students and members of the ‘ healthy girls for impact’ called on government at all level to protect the girl child.
They also admonished government and other public spirited individuals to provide free menstrual hygiene products to enhance healthy living for the Girl Child in Nigeria.