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SRHIN Celebrates Success of SimbiHealth Project in Toto LGA, Nasarawa State

Home / News

SRHIN Celebrates Success of SimbiHealth Project in Toto LGA, Nasarawa State

News
20 June 2024

The Slum and Rural Health Initiative (SRHIN) recently held a dissemination conference in Toto Local Government Area (LGA) to celebrate the far-reaching impact of its SimbiHealth Community Advocacy Project, which champions gender equality, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and healthcare access for rural communities.

Launched across 10 communities in Nasarawa State, SimbiHealth was designed to empower women and young people, especially in underserved areas, to become health and social change advocates. The project equipped them with tools and knowledge to demand essential healthcare services—including family planning, maternal health, and menstrual hygiene—and to challenge harmful cultural norms that limit access to SRH and education, particularly for girls.

Women participant at the dissemination conference held in Toto LGA

Women Leaders Drive Change

The conference spotlighted inspiring stories of women leaders who emerged through the project. Mrs. Mamma Happy Shekwobada, from Kuru community, exemplifies this transformation. Previously without access to reliable sexual and reproductive health information, she became a passionate voice for family planning. Through her bold leadership, she initiated discussions at the chief’s palace—breaking cultural taboos—and led community-wide campaigns focused on maternal, newborn, and child health, breastfeeding, and the prevention of gender-based violence. Her work created a ripple effect, encouraging both men and women to take proactive steps toward better health outcomes.

Beyond Healthcare: Girls Education and Community Outreach

SimbiHealth’s impact also extended to improving sanitation and promoting girls’ education. Hajia Amina Bolarinde, from the Toto community, galvanized residents to adopt monthly sanitation practices, significantly reducing waterborne diseases. She also became a strong advocate for school-based initiatives, working with parents and educators to eliminate barriers to girls’ education, such as early marriage and menstruation stigma. Her leadership challenged deep-rooted gender norms and promoted inclusive learning environments for young girls.

Empowering Girls and Youth Through Community-Led Advocacy

Another remarkable leader, Hafisat Abdulahi from the Gwargwada community, successfully led advocacy efforts for the renovation of a neglected health facility. With her leadership, the clinic now provides a safe space for young people, including adolescent girls, to access counseling, immunizations, and menstrual hygiene support. By collaborating with local schools, she facilitated the distribution of sanitary pads and SRH education, helping girls stay in school and manage their health with dignity.

SimbiHealth reflects SRHIN’s ongoing commitment to amplifying the voices of girls and young people, fostering school-based health advocacy, promoting sexual and reproductive health, and confronting gender-based violence through grassroots leadership. The project is paving the way for healthier, more informed, and empowered rural communities in Nigeria.

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