By Abayomi Elias
Community leaders and traditional leaders from South-west
Recognizing the critical role community leaders play in shaping public opinion and influencing policy, Vision Spring Initiatives (VSI), a Lagos-based non-governmental organization committed to advancing the rights of women and girls, recently organized a Value Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) training for community leaders from Lagos and Oyo States.
The initiative aims to foster a deeper understanding of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and address harmful cultural and religious beliefs that hinder access to lifesaving SRHR services—particularly safe abortion.
Newsconnect reports that the training was conducted under the PAMOJA project, supported by AmplifyChange, and served as a platform for community leaders to reflect on and challenge socio-cultural norms that perpetuate stigma and restrict access to reproductive healthcare.
According to development statistics shared during the sessions, young women and girls face life-threatening consequences from unsafe abortions and other harmful practices, often resulting from unintended pregnancies as a result of rape or incest, due to the absence—or non-implementation—of progressive SRHR policies.
Speaking at the training, the Program Lead at VSI, emphasized the urgency of community-level advocacy. “Even where SRHR laws or guidelines exist, they are either suspended or not implemented,” she said in an interview with NewsConnect. “In Lagos State, for instance, the Safe Termination of Pregnancy Guideline has been suspended.
In Oyo State, a relevant policy exists but remains largely unenforced. VSI is currently contributing to the ongoing review process.”
She noted that this engagement is part of a broader strategy to build grassroots support for SRHR in other states such as Ondo, Ekiti, and Osun. “Community leaders have significant influence—not just over policy, but over cultural narratives and everyday behaviors.
If we can help them clarify their values and beliefs around these issues, we can catalyze a shift in how SRHR is perceived and accessed.”
She further stressed the importance of understanding safe abortion as a healthcare issue. “In Nigeria, abortion is only legally permitted to save the life of the mother.
But what happens to victims of abuse? A young woman, raped by her stepfather, may not be mentally able to carry the pregnancy to term. We must ask: what options are available to her? How do we protect her life?” She added that just like family planning and contraception, safe abortion must be recognized as part of essential healthcare.
Participants at the training expressed their commitment to promoting change in their communities. Iya Afin Abosede, a community leader from Oluodo, Ikorodu, shared: “This is my first time attending a training like this, and I’ve learned so much. I now understand the importance of responding to reproductive health issues with empathy and referring individuals to proper healthcare facilities.
I’ve also seen the need for parents to create open lines of communication with their children to prevent shame, silence, and stigma.”
She emphasized the need to begin comprehensive sexuality education early, adding, “Parents must not be harsh. We must listen to our children so they feel safe speaking to us. And men, too, need to learn self-restraint—how a woman dresses must never be used to justify rape. Men should also mentor boys and other men to become allies and champions for women’s rights.”
Chief J.O. Badejo, the Baale of Ojuwoye and a traditional medicine expert, echoed the importance of ongoing engagement. “This isn’t my first VCAT training with VSI,” he said.
“I always share the knowledge I gain, and I remain committed to stepping it down to others in my community.”
The training concluded with a strong collective commitment from the community leaders to advocate for gender-responsive policies, raise awareness, and partner with government stakeholders to protect and promote the health, rights, and dignity of women and girls in their respective communities.