By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
A Gynaecologist, Dr Olufiade Oyerogba says sexual and reproductive health is not a luxury but a fundamental right.
Oyerogba, Senior Registrar, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, made the remark on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.
She spoke on the occasion of the commemoration of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Awareness Day on Thursday.
NAN reports that SRH Awareness Day is annually celebrated on Feb. 12.
The goal is to reduce stigma and raise awareness about health issues related to sexual and reproductive health.
It also educates how to reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections and how to utilise essential healthcare services.
Oyerogba stressed that investing in women’s health, adolescent education and accessible healthcare systems would strengthen families and build a healthier nation.
“On this SRH awareness day, let us commit to breaking stigma, promoting open conversations and ensuring that no one is left behind,” she said.
The gynaecologist noted that some of the most common sexual and reproductive health challenges included sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, high rates of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
Others she added were adolescent pregnancies, infertility often resulting from untreated infections, and gender-based violence.
According to her, these issues are largely driven by limited access to accurate information, stigma, poverty, and inadequate access to quality healthcare services.
Oyerogba said to address them, required comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly services, improved access to contraception, and stronger primary healthcare systems across the country.
“Parents must understand that silence is no longer protection; if parents don’t educate their children, social media and peers will.
“Conversations should start early and be age-appropriate, use correct terms, encourage open dialogue, and create a safe space where children feel comfortable asking questions.
“It’s not just about preventing pregnancy; it’s about teaching consent, respect, boundaries, and personal responsibility.
“When communication is open at home, children are more likely to make informed and safer decisions,” she said.
She also remarked that culture and religion played a powerful role in influencing SRH awareness.
On the positive side, she said they promoted family values and moral guidance.
“However, they can also create taboos around discussing sexuality, discourage contraceptive use, and sometimes limit women’s autonomy in making reproductive decisions.
“The solution is not confrontation but collaboration; religious and traditional leaders should be engaged as partners in promoting health education because when trusted leaders speak, communities listen,” she said.
According to Oyerogba, reducing maternal and infant mortality must be a national priority.
“We need skilled birth attendants at every delivery, stronger emergency obstetric and neonatal care, improved antenatal attendance, and expanded health insurance coverage.
“There is also need for increased access to family planning service, no woman should die giving life.
“Most maternal deaths are preventable with timely and quality care,” she said.
She emphasised that there are many harmful myths about reproductive health that needs to be corrected.
“For example, some believe contraceptives cause permanent infertility.
“Others think you cannot get pregnant the first time you have sex, some assume STIs only affect certain groups of people, but infections do not discriminate.
“We must replace myths with science-based information. Education is empowerment,” the gynaecologist said. (NAN)
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