Lagos State, in collaboration with The Challenge Initiative (TCI) and the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), staged a public awareness walk over the weekend to mark World Contraception Day.
The event aimed to promote the use of modern contraceptive methods for family planning, empowering couples to make informed reproductive choices and encouraging the utilization of safe and effective options.
Supported by development partners including EngenderHealth, the walk drew participation from health officials, community leaders, and residents across Lagos, all united in their commitment to improving access to family planning services. Participants engaged in educational outreach, distributed informational materials, and emphasized the critical role of contraception in reducing maternal mortality, empowering individuals, and fostering healthier communities.
In her keynote address, Dr. Folashade Oludara, Director of Family Health and Nutrition at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of raising awareness about modern contraceptive options. She stressed the need for youth-friendly services, debunking myths, and amplifying positive narratives from adolescents and women.
“This event is about creating public awareness. Everyone is expected to plan their family. Children should not be brought into the world by accident,” Dr. Oludara stated. “Babies deserve love and should be wanted. Every child should be planned for, educated, and integrated into the life of the couple.”
She emphasized that every woman has a reproductive health right and outlined the ministry’s strategies to sensitize grassroots communities. These efforts include last-mile distribution of contraceptives to remote areas, ensuring a wide range of methods are available in medical facilities, and promoting personalized counseling that considers an individual’s health history and lifestyle.
Dr. Oludara also called on parents to play a more active role in educating their children about sexual and reproductive health. “Parents should not shy away from discussing sex education. When young people understand their bodies, they are better equipped to make informed choices,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Latifatu Adeleye, Lagos State Family Planning Manager, explained that contraceptives are methods used to delay or space childbirth. She detailed that modern options include hormonal methods, barrier devices, surgical procedures, and calendar-based approaches.
Dr. Adeleye disclosed that the government has deployed mobile family planning teams to reach underserved areas. “These special teams deliver services such as implants and injectables directly to the grassroots. We want people to know that family planning is their choice, and it is available to them wherever they are,” she said.
During the event, trained health workers and volunteers distributed free condoms and comprehensive informational materials to residents. The outreach focused on educating the public about the benefits of family planning, safe contraceptive options, and the importance of reproductive health in building stronger, healthier families.
The walk served as a powerful reminder of the collective effort required to ensure every individual has access to the information and services needed to make informed reproductive choices. As Lagos State continues to champion family planning initiatives, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to creating a future where every child is wanted, every woman is empowered, and families are built on a foundation of health and conscious planning.
