YNCSD Announces Launch of Move2Act: A High-Level Abortion Advocacy Project on International Safe Abortion Day

As the world commemorates International Safe Abortion Day on 28^th September, 2023 with the theme “Unstoppable Movement: Movement building, solidarity, and justice for the right to safe abortion” and a subtheme on “Young People’s Leadership in Abortion Justice”, Youth Network for Community and Sustainable Development (YNCSD) is proud to announce the launch of a ground-breaking initiative called “Move2Act.” This high-level advocacy project is dedicated to advocating for a change in certain laws in Nigeria, with the aim of ensuring that women, girls, and other gender minorities have access to safe and judgment-free services and comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) care.

In Nigeria, like many other countries around the world, outdated and restrictive abortion laws continue to place a heavy burden on women’s reproductive rights, health, and overall well-being. The current abortion laws in Nigeria are over a hundred years old. Aside from being outdated, it makes achieving SDG 3.1 (the reduction of maternal mortality rates) quite difficult. Unsafe abortions are a major public health concern, leading to numerous preventable deaths and complications for women and girls. YNCSD, in its commitment to promoting gender equality and safeguarding the SRHR of all individuals, is taking a bold step to address this issue through the Move2Act project.

Key objectives of Move2Act include:

Advocacy for Legal Reform: YNCSD will engage with policymakers, stakeholders, and civil society organizations to advocate for the reform of abortion laws in Nigeria. We believe that it is essential to decriminalize abortion and make safe abortion services accessible to those in need.

Promoting Comprehensive SRHR Education: The project aims to raise awareness and promote comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. We believe that informed decision-making is vital in empowering individuals to make the right choices regarding their reproductive health.

Supporting Access to Safe Abortion Services: Move2Act will work towards ensuring that safe abortion services are readily available and accessible to all, particularly in underserved areas. This includes advocating for the removal of barriers that prevent access to these services.

Reducing Stigma and Discrimination: YNCSD will actively work to reduce the stigma and discrimination faced by individuals seeking abortion services. We will engage in public awareness campaigns to challenge misconceptions and prejudices surrounding abortion.

Fostering Partnerships: Collaboration is key to the success of this project. YNCSD will seek partnerships with like-minded national and international organizations to amplify our efforts and create a lasting impact.

YNCSD invites everyone who shares our commitment to reproductive rights and gender equality to join us in this important advocacy journey. The launch of Move2Act is a significant step towards ensuring that every woman, girl, and gender minority in Nigeria has the right to access safe abortion services and comprehensive SRHR care.

In commemoration of International Safe Abortion Day, YNCSD will be hosting a meeting with relevant stakeholders, where we will discuss the project’s objectives, share insights from experts, and highlight the importance of safe abortion as a fundamental human right. We invite media organizations, activists, policymakers, and the general public to participate and support our cause.

For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, or to RSVP for virtual events, please contact Helen Adaji at h.adaji@yncsd.org

About YNCSD:

YNCSD is the leading advocacy group of all youth bodies working to end all forms of harmful traditional practices in Nigeria, Youth Network for Community and Sustainable

Development is a movement catalyzing social change by engaging young people and amplifying their voices to speak for human rights, through targeted advocacy to key players, capacity building and development, communications and media engagements, partnerships and program implementation.

We also work on other sexual and reproductive health and rights issues, governance and the environment.

Youth Network for Community and Sustainable Development (YNCSD) is a youth-led organization dedicated to advancing sustainable development, gender equality, and the promotion of human rights in Nigeria. YNCSD’s work is rooted in the belief that empowering young people is essential for building a just and equitable society.

For more information about YNCSD projects, please visit the OUR PROJECTS tab on our home page