Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI) Builds Adolescents Skill To Curb HIV Infections

In order to reduce the number of adolescents infected with HIV, the Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), has trained some youths on skills that would cut new HIV infections as well as prevent the spread of the disease

According to the Executive Director of Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), Oje Ivagba, exposing the girls aged 13 to 19, to how to improve their sexual and reproductive health knowledge could help them reduce risky sexual behaviour, cut the incidence of HIV and unintended pregnancies.

During the launch of the programme tagged the BMZ SKILLZ Girl Project, YEDI disclosed that the beneficiaries were equipped with critical life skills training, health awareness and counseling that would enable them to make better decisions and become productive members of society.

The BMZ SKILLZ Girl Project was organised by YEDI and funded by the German Government’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through StreetFootballWorld. It targets over 2,000 girls in disadvantaged communities in Lagos, Abuja, Akwa Ibom and Ogun State.

The training became necessary based on a 2011 study conducted by Action Health, which stated that 25 per cent of adolescent girls surveyed had begun childbearing as early as 13 years old.

“In addition, over 50 per cent of girls had experienced physical and sexual violence by their partner and had no support group or association outside of their families and religious organisations.

It is estimated that women make up over 50 per cent of the population of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.

However, Ivagba said, “The project will also build and develop a team of community role models who can deliver and monitor the project in their local communities, and promote physical activity and well-being through inclusive sport.”

He also noted that the desired impact of the programme was to support adolescents’ positive and healthy transition into productive adults.

YEDI’s Head of Programs Tomisin Ojo reiterated the organisation’s overarching vision of empowering young people with requisite knowledge to live healthy and avoid risky behaviour.

Present at the launch were stakeholders and school teachers from beneficiary communities in Lagos and peer educators and beneficiaries of a previous SKILLZ Girl Project.

Also present were Dr. Esther Somefun and Jaiyeola Anyanbolejo (UNFPA), Mrs. Peter-Popoola F.O of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, among others.
New Telegraph