WARDC Urges Soludo to Champion Sexual and Reproductive Health Awareness in Anambra
Awka, Nigeria – The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, to forge strategic partnerships that will strengthen public awareness and policy implementation on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
The appeal was made during a one-day SRHR roundtable in Awka, bringing together grassroots women leaders, civil society organisations, religious representatives, and health advocates to address violence against women and girls, harmful practices, and limited access to reproductive health services. The dialogue was convened by WARDC, in collaboration with the Centre for Reproductive Rights and the Government of Canada.
Call for Zero Tolerance to Gender-Based Violence
Speaking virtually, WARDC’s founding director Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi urged the Soludo administration, traditional rulers, and community leaders to adopt an uncompromising stance against rape and GBV. She stressed that the trauma of sexual assault often leads to unwanted pregnancies and other serious health risks, and called for community-imposed sanctions to deter offenders, especially at the grassroots level.
“To make lasting progress, we need a coordinated response that brings government, civil society, and the private sector to the same table. The state must demonstrate zero tolerance for these violations,” she said.
Addressing SRHR Gaps in Nigeria
WARDC’s Head of Programmes, Mrs. Emmanuela Azu, said the absence of accurate SRHR information continues to cause major social and health challenges in Nigeria. She explained that the Anambra project is part of a multi-state initiative also being implemented in Osun, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, and Akwa Ibom States to assess service availability, review policy gaps, and shift public attitudes toward reproductive health.
“SRHR covers a wide range of issues — from access to safe health services to informed sexual choices — and cannot be effectively addressed if conversations around it remain taboo,” she said.
Azu added that while abstinence is one approach, it becomes counterproductive when presented as the only message to young people who are already sexually active. She called for comprehensive education that includes the reasons behind abstinence as well as other informed options.
STOP Guidelines and Local Partnerships
Commending the Anambra State Government for adopting the Safe Termination of Pregnancy (STOP) Guidelines, Azu said the framework protects women’s reproductive rights — particularly in cases of forced pregnancy — and reduces unsafe abortion rates where implemented.
The guidelines, she noted, will be promoted through supervisory committees and local government health officers to ensure accurate SRHR information reaches women, girls, and men across the state.
Engaging Men in SRHR Advocacy
Speaking for other participating CSOs, Prince Chris Azor stressed the need to involve men in sensitisation efforts, stating that the responsibility of pregnancy should not rest on women alone. He also urged the state to equip rural healthcare facilities to better serve local communities.
The session was moderated by Prof. Ifeanyichukwu Ezebialu, Coordinator of the Anambra State Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria (SOGON).