Elizabeth Jonah
Ogun State, Nigeria, African Girls Empowerment Network, a young feminist civil society organization, has announced the launch of “#10000 MenGiveBellebyChoice Not by force challenge” to reach 10,000 Men and boys across Nigeria and engage them to end sexual/intimate partner violence, rape, child marriage, and stigma against women’s rights to pregnancy by choice from September 1st 2023 to commemorate the the 2nd Anniversary of its flagship program #BellebyChoice not by chance Campaign and the World Contraception Day 2023.
This year, the group is setting another challenge to reach 10,000 Men and get them involved to end forced, unwanted, and unplanned pregnancies among women and adolescent girls and their attendant problems such as child marriages, girls’ school dropout, and unsafe abortion to reduce the current maternal mortality ratio of 512 per 100,000 births in Nigeria.
Studies have shown that involving men and boys in reproductive health decisions can significantly and positively impact society. Therefore, through the campaign in Lagos, Ogun, and Cross River States, the group wants to address the root and underlying causes of unwanted pregnancies; such as rape, sexual/intimate partner violence, child marriages, and stigma surrounding women’s uptake of contraception, by engaging men and boys, particularly the community leaders, family heads, religious/traditional leaders, youths, and men, including those in the hard-to-reach communities, to join the cause and actively work towards ending unintended pregnancies and their associated problems in these states.
Disclosing the launch of the 10,000 #MengiveBellebyChoice Challenge to our correspondence on 3rd August 2023, the group said “Men’s involvement is crucial in ensuring reproductive rights and health for all individuals. By actively engaging men in these discussions and encouraging shared responsibilities, we can create a more equitable society for everyone.”
The group also called for joint efforts and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to promote women’s sexual & reproductive health rights in the country “We are calling on the women’s sexual rights advocates and civil society actors, development partners, and government to join our #BelleByChoiceMovement and together we will reduce the incidence of unwanted pregnancy and its attendant problem such as unsafe abortion, maternal mortality rate, girls’ school dropout, child marriage among others.
For more information about the #BelleByChoice Campaign or to volunteer, donate or coordinate the 10,000 Give Belle by Choice campaign in your community or State, please get in touch with Ronke Omotoyinbo, or send us an email, African Girls Empowerment Network: operations@agenetwork.org, Tel/WhatsApp +2348062762068
Notes to Editors
African Girls Empowerment Network (AGE Network), is a registered young female frontline civil society organization dedicated to reducing gender inequality by empowering and advancing the human rights of young women and girls, particularly those in displacement & vulnerable settings. We advance gender equality in girls’ education, promote young women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, bolster women’s role in leadership and economic inclusion, and strengthen the capacity of young women’s and girls’-led groups in Nigeria. (www.agenetwork.org, stem.agenetwork.org)
