20 Young Women Trained To Champion Disability-Inclusive SRHR
By BUNMI BUSOLA
THE Sustainable Impact and Development (SID) Initiative has successfully concluded a two-day capacity-building bootcamp in Lagos State, equipping 20 young women with skills to advocate for disability-inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Part of Project Equal Care, supported by the AU-EU Youth Action Lab, the training targeted emerging female policy influencers from the Lagos State Youth Parliament, Lagos State Youth Ambassadors, the National Youth Council (Lagos Chapter), and the Lagos Youth Development Institute.
Participants received intensive training on SRHR frameworks, leadership, public speaking, media engagement, and storytelling for advocacy. They explored barriers faced by adolescent girls and young women with disabilities—including stigma, limited accessibility, and gaps in inclusive policies—and developed practical strategies to address them. The bootcamp also emphasised ethical use of digital platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) for impactful advocacy campaigns.
Gloria Williams, SID Initiative’s programme officer, stressed the importance of empowering young women to ensure inclusive access to SRHR services. Oluwaremilekun Ogunbanwo, the initiative’s program assistant, encouraged participants to apply their new skills in their communities and highlighted a follow-up mentorship phase to support sustained advocacy.
The bootcamp offered a safe and inspiring space for knowledge exchange, idea sharing, and confidence-building, reinforcing SID Initiative’s commitment to advancing inclusive policies, empowering young women, and promoting SRHR for all.
SID Initiative is a youth-led NGO dedicated to amplifying the voices of adolescents and young people across Nigeria through advocacy, capacity-building, digital innovation, and comprehensive sexuality education.
