SAFIN Iconic Girl Child Advocate, Fauziyyah Alaaya, has called for increased national investment in sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and youth-friendly health services for young people in Nigeria.
She made the call at the recently concluded Regional Adolescent Girls Summit held in Yamoussoukro, where she addressed adolescent girls, policymakers, civil society organisations, and international development partners.
Fauziyyah emphasized that access to affordable, comprehensive, and non-judgmental sexual and reproductive health services is a fundamental right of every girl and woman. She noted that such services are essential for preventing infections and diseases, as well as improving overall quality of life.
According to her, the lack of access to these services has contributed significantly to preventable deaths among young people in Nigeria.
Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Fauziyyah referenced data from World Health Organization and other development partners. She noted that an estimated 1.8 million abortions occur annually in Nigeria, with nearly 60 per cent classified as unsafe.
She further stated that Nigeria accounts for about 23 per cent of global maternal deaths, with unsafe abortion identified as a major contributing factor. National surveys also suggest that approximately 610,000 unsafe abortions take place each year, resulting in about 20,000 deaths from related complications.
Fauziyyah stressed that the figures underscore the urgent need for deliberate policy actions, increased funding, and improved access to youth-friendly healthcare services across the country.
She called on government authorities, development partners, and civil society organisations to prioritise investments that will ensure safe, accessible, and inclusive reproductive health services for young people.
The appeal, she said, is both timely and critical, given the rising concerns over unsafe abortions and maternal mortality in Nigeria.
Excerpt by Oyedeji Olufemi, Chief Executive Officer, Save the Future of Children Initiative.