The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a study conducted by Blessing Jaka Akobi-Inyang, et’al., (July, 2022) which reveals that there are higher levels of adolescent pregnancy in all of northern Nigeria, especially in male-led households.
Teenage pregnancy is not an occurrence in a particular region or country. It is a major menace in both high- and low-income parts of Nigeria. However, it is a major concern as it rates higher in the Northern part of Nigeria. Teenage pregnancy disrupts the “life” of the girl-child.
From her education to the stigma to the various health challenges of birthing a child at such an age and other factors like poverty, etc. Too many times, we see socio-cultural values playing a major role in the ignorance of the girl child’s education (sexual and reproductive education inclusive). Furthermore, teenage pregnancy and these stereotypes are also causes of intimate partner violence.
Being aware of the dangers associated with a continuous life-cycle of teenage pregnancy in any society, The Sapphires Development desires to scale up Raising the Adlers in Northern Nigeria. This would sensitize more young girls about the subject matter and present an opportunity for them to be leaders and agents of change. Carrying out this project in 30 schools in Northern Nigeria for 100 schoolgirls in each government school would increase the awareness needed.
Raising the Adlers is a project whose pilot phase was carried out on the 30th of November, 2022 in Niger state, Northern Nigeria. Adlers, being a term used to refer to or symbolize insight, freedom, and immense strength, is targeted at teenage mothers.
Stereotypes, especially those about gender inequality have plagued Nigerian society for so long making it look more and more like a reality. This project is targeted towards freeing the Nigerian girl child, starting with the Northern girl child who believes that her body belongs to her husband at an extremely young age and she can not achieve greatness due to different circumstances including pregnancy, and lack of access to education. The project also focused on their (reproductive) health, attending to it and being conscious of it, especially as nursing mothers.
The pilot phase reached out to about 50 teenage mothers who in the end reported that they felt empowered to strive for more and to take their physical and bodily health seriously. They also felt encouraged to keep being educated regardless of them being teenage mothers.
Following this, TSDI wants to scale up this project by going to more schools and reaching more teenage girls. Scaling up and reaching more female children and teenage mothers, especially in the North where there is a high prevalence of girl child abuse, teenage pregnancy, maternal mortality, high rate of illiteracy, we are calling on individuals to partner with us.
The aim of this initiative is to see girls would be educated on their sexual health, bodily autonomy, and the importance of quality education, and be empowered to desire a better future than just being the wife of a man or mother of a child/children. In addition, it aims to encourage these young girls to dream big and be better as this would greatly cause a fundamental change in northern Nigerian society. For one, maternal mortality would be reduced and also, the girls would develop a desire to be included in every sector of society, and not just the family institution.
We can not do this alone as so we ask that you support us as we hope to make a difference. Contact us: https://tsi.org.ng/tsi-tribe-mate/ OR volunteer@tsi.org.ng
