Programmes
Strategic Objectives
Accelerate Access
Increase Access to SRHR Services and Strengthen the Capacity of Service Providers
Policy Advocacy
Strengthen Policy and Advocacy for SRHR Service Provision and Access
Evidence-Based response
To Increase and Sustain Evidence-Based Approach to GBV Response and Prevention.
Youth Mobilization
Galvanize Efforts of Youth-Led Organizations and Young People in Advancing Accountability and their Participation in Governance.
Inclusive Response
Advance gender-responsive climate policies in Emergencies and Humanitarian Settings.
Gender minority empowerment replaces
Empower LGBTQ+ Rights Movement and Strengthen Access to Basic Services
Ongoing Projects
GFF-CEFM
Girls First Fund Combating Child, Early and Forced Marriage Phase II (Ongoing)
Nigeria has one of the highest child marriage rates globally, particularly in the northwest, where four out of ten girls married before 18. Despite the 2003 Child Rights Act setting the legal marriage age at 18, inconsistent enforcement and cultural norms continue to hinder its effectiveness. The project, funded by the Girls First Fund, operates in high-burden areas in Kaduna State, focusing on regions with high CEFM prevalence. YNCSD works with local communities, religious leaders, policymakers, and government bodies to address the intersectional causes of child marriage, including economic disparities and cultural practices.
Move2Act
Move to Act – Accelerating Coordinated Advocacy for Improved Abortion Laws and Policies in Nigeria (Ongoing)
The project responds to the urgent need for improved abortion laws and policies in Nigeria, where restrictive regulations pose significant challenges to women’s reproductive rights and health. Move2Act is a collaborative initiative involving various stakeholders, including donor support, coalition partners, and the project team. The intervention focuses on Lagos and Imo states, conducting in-depth analyses, engaging with key stakeholders, and implementing targeted advocacy strategies.
The project is being implemented in Imo and Lagos States, Nigeria.
Activating Choices
Establishing a Community-Led Movement for Safe Abortion Access in Lagos (Ongoing)
The “Activating Choices” project focuses on creating a transformative shift in the landscape of safe abortion access in Lagos, employing a multifaceted approach to achieve tangible results. Through strategic partnerships with local civil society organisations, healthcare providers, and community leaders, we aim to collaboratively refine and enhance the existing safe abortion guidelines suspended in 2022.
Safe Abortion Services Project
Promoting Access to Safe Abortion Services and Improving Access to Abortion Pills (Ongoing)
Access to safe abortion services in Nigeria remains limited due to restrictive legal frameworks, cultural stigmas, and misinformation. Women, young people, and marginalised groups often face significant barriers in seeking SRHR services, resulting in unsafe abortions and adverse health outcomes.
This project, supported by TICAH under the MAMA Network, aims to reduce these barriers by empowering youth activists, enhancing service provision, and conducting vital research on abortion access. The intervention is being implemented in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), targeting communities most in need of SRHR information and services.
Completed Projects
SCALE II
Roddenberry Project – SCALE II initiative improving health outcomes in Nigeria (Completed)
This project aimed to improve the health outcomes of women and girls in Nigeria by addressing the issue of FGM/C, which is prevalent in the country. YNCSD conducted social change behavioural workshops to empower participants to advocate against FGM/C. The workshops included an advocacy boot camp where participants acquired digital advocacy skills and comprehensive knowledge about FGM/C, including its history, different forms, relevant legal frameworks, effective communication techniques, and strategies for using social media.
As a result of these efforts, the “Champions Against FGM” network was formed, actively producing advocacy content and engaging communities both online and offline to combat FGM/C.
15 Youths Empowered
15 youths empowered with knowledge and skills to advocate against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in Abuja, Nigeria.
Champions Against FGM
Establishment of the "Champions Against FGM" advocacy network.
3 Grants
3 grants for innovative anti-FGM/C projects
FREEFUND
Financial Resilience and Economic Empowerment Fund Project (Completed)
The FREE Fund Project empowered career cutters with new income-generating skills that will support the livelihood of at least 50 identified career cutters in Imo and Ebonyi states in Nigeria. The cutters abandoned FGM/C practice as a source of income. The women were linked to businesses and skills acquisition programmes set up in the states during this project.
YNCSD partnered with consultants and successful women business owners in neighbouring towns and communities in the focal states to mentor and coach the target beneficiaries for a sufficient period that empowered them to become financially self-reliant and replicate these ventures in their communities.
50 Women Empowered
50 women career cutters empowered with alternative income generating skills.
50 Seed Grants
50 seed grants awarded to participants.
Empowered Former Cutters
Significant reduction in the availability of willing cutters across Imo and Ebonyi states, Nigeria.
GFF-CEFM
Girls First Fund Combating Child, Early and Forced Marriage Phase I (Completed)
The GFF-CEFM Phase I project was designed to address unique challenges faced by girls in communities in Kaduna state, Nigeria, including deep-seated cultural norms,
limited access to education, economic vulnerability, and inadequate legal protection. These challenges contribute to gender inequalities, making girls susceptible to harmful practices such as CEFM.
YNCSD deployed a multi-sectoral approach and identified key strategies, including community engagement, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, economic empowerment, advocacy, and mentorship, to address these challenges.
Implemented in Kaduna State, Nigeria, GFF-CEFM strategically focused on areas with elevated prevalence rates of CEFM. YNCSD collaborated with various partners, including local communities, religious leaders, traditional leaders, policymakers, and government bodies, to create a collective and sustainable effort against CEFM. The intervention recognises the intersectionality of issues contributing to child marriage, such as economic disparities and cultural norms, and addresses them through tailored strategies.
30 Woment Trained
30 women trained across 3 communities in Kaduna state.
Public Transport
Significant increase in public support from traditional and religious leaders against CEFM.
Parental Attitude Shift
Behavioural change in parents towards CEFM.
LINKS
Advancing abortion rights and creating lasting gains for reproductive health, rights, and justice. (Completed)
The LINKS project aimed at improving the access and uptake of Self Managed Abortion for Lesbian Bisexual and Queer Women (LBQ) and Sex Workers in the FCT.
This project improved access of FSW and LBQ women to self-managed abortion, reduced mortality due to unsafe abortion procedures, improved their knowledge of SRHR and improved access to care for FSW and LBQ women. This involved building networks and coalitions, evidence generation on social norm change and provision of support for FSW and LBQ women to access medications at a subsidised price.
YNCSD aimed to achieve this through a change in awareness and agency, access to resources and services, and a change in social norms and practices.
30 Community Leaders Trainied
30 community leaders trained as peer educators.
Strategic Partnerships
Strategic partnerships with the Ministries of Health and Youth & Sports to foster advocacy.
SRHR for All
Destigmatized abortion while equipping female sex workers (FSWs) and individuals within the Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer (LBQ) community with knowledge on safe self-managed abortion practices. Alongside discussions on abortion, these sessions also addressed broader sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) topics such as birth preparedness, contraception, and negotiating safe sex.
Pamoja RAES
The ReproVoices Nigeria (Completed)
The ReproVoices Nigeria project focused on reshaping the narrative around reproductive rights. The objective of the ”Toba se wo” campaign was to directly address and contribute to the goal of shifting societal attitudes and perceptions around abortion, as outlined in the shared communication plan for Nigeria.
The campaign activities included media executive training, a social media campaign, engagement with the creative industry, and involvement of celebrity ambassadors, designed to transform the narrative and create an environment that is supportive, empathetic, and informed about reproductive rights.
This objective aligned with the broader project aim of building public support for abortion rights and safe access to abortion.
Training Programme
Comprehensive Training Programme Report
Social Media Campaign
Social Media Campaign Impact Report
Media Integration
Media Integration Summary Report
Gallery
