As part of its commitment at enhancing good healthy living among children and pregnant women, the Ogun State Government through the Ministry of Information and Strategy has advised Civil Society and other stakeholders on a community engagement guide for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine saying that the initiative will help in improving the lives of children and their families.
The government in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Lagos Field Office in protecting girl child against harmful practices. also urged the stakeholders to embrace a more pragmatic approach at ensuring that community and the society change their perception on the issues of immunization, female genital multillation and other health challenges .
Speaking at the one day engagement meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Adesina in his speech during a validation meeting with Civil Society Organizations and other stakeholders on a community engagement guide for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine, said the initiative will help in improving the lives of children and their families.
His words, “The importance of stakeholders in ensuring child survival and development cannot be overstated.
“As we all know, children are the future of our society. Their well-being, health, and development are responsibilities that cannot be restricted to their families.
“Each one of us here today government officials, representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), health professionals, community leaders, and our esteemed partners, UNICEF plays a crucial role in creating an environment where every child can thrive.
“It is through active engagement and participation that we can address the multifaceted challenges that our communities face. When we talk about community engagement, we are talking about involving everyone-men, women, youth, and children in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.
“Engaging communities effectively means listening to them, understanding their needs, and working alongside them to co-create solutions. It involves building trust and fostering a sense of solidarity. When communities feel heard and valued, they are more likely to participate actively and sustain the changes we aim to implement.
“The Ministry of Information and Strategy, in collaboration with UNICEF, has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children and their families.
“In recent years, our efforts have been focused on critical areas such as routine immunization, HPV vaccination, nutrition during the first 1,000 days, and child protection, particularly against harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM).
“However, we recognize that these efforts can only be truly successful when they are supported by strong community engagement. This is where you, our stakeholders, come in.
“We consider your role in mobilizing, educating, and empowering the communities as golden. Also, your insights, and dedication to societal development are invaluable assets in our collective mission.
“This guide, currently being developed by UNICEF, İs a strategic tool designed to align the efforts of all stakeholders with the overarching goals of child survival and development. We hope that it will become a roadmap that will help us secure the buy-in of community members in our various interventions and ensure that our approaches are effective, culturally appropriate, and sustainable. Ultimately, we hope that it will serve as a comprehensive resource, detailing best practices, strategies, and methodologies for engaging communities.
“As we embark on this important task, l urge each of you to actively participate and share your insights. Your experiences working directly with communities provide a unique perspective that is crucial for the development of an effective guide.
“Whether it is through the successes you have achieved or the challenges you have encountered, I assure you that every piece of information is valuable. I want to appreciate UNICEF, Lagos Field Office, for their support for interventions that impact the lives of our children”.
Also, the Programme Director, Alhaja Kemi Ewedairo in her remarks said that the essence of the programme is to show commitment towards child survival, development, and protection.
She said, “Through numerous initiatives over the years, we have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children and their mothers, particularly in the areas of mobilization for key interventions and public enlightenment on Essential Family Practices (EFPs). Today marks another significant step in our ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Information and Strategy and UNICEF.
“Our partnership is deeply rooted in our shared commitment to child survival, development, and protection. Through numerous initiatives over the years, we have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children and their mothers, particularly in the areas of mobilization for key interventions and public enlightenment on Essential Family Practices (EFPs).
“Community engagement is paramount to perpetuating social and behavioral change among various demographics in our communities. It is through active participation and collaboration that we can effectively address the unique challenges faced by our people, especially children.
Therefore, engaging with the community does two things. First, it provides empowerment for individuals. Apart from that, community engagement is a great way to foster a collective sense of responsibility toward improving health and social outcomes. Through this proven avenue, we believe that our people can adapt their attitudes and norms to ways that guarantee the survival, development of every child irrespective of their socio-economic background.
“We are gathered here to discuss the development of a community engagement guide by UNICEF. This guide is designed to align the developmental efforts of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with UNICEF’s focus areas, including routine immunization, HPV vaccination, nutrition during the first 1,000 days, and child protection, particularly against female genital mutilation (FGM).
“The experiences, insights, and suggestions of each of you will be incorporated into the guide, making it a comprehensive tool that truly reflects the needs and realities of our communities.”
