FAMILY PLANNING-The Challenge Initiative, Devcoms and Lagos State Government organized a 2-Day Capacity Building Training for media professionals, with the focus to intensify family planning awareness across the state.
The event, which took place in Lagos, attracted media practitioners from various parts of the state, aiming to equip them with strategies to educate Lagosians on the importance of timing and spacing child births.
Key figures at the training included the Executive Director of the Sustainable Impact and Development (SID) Initiative, Elizabeth Talatu Williams, the Chairman of the Interfaith Public Health Advocacy Lagos (IPHAL), Dr. Mrs. Ashiru Ajoke Sariyu, and the State Health Educator, Mr. Olusegun Isaiah Badejo.
Williams emphasized the role of family planning in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including No Poverty, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Climate Action.
She highlighted the media’s critical role in raising awareness, changing perceptions, and advocating for policy changes related to family planning.
Williams also shared tools and strategies for effective media coverage, such as engaging with experts, utilizing various platforms, and building accurate narratives.
Dr. Sariyu addressed prevalent myths and misconceptions about family planning, urging the media to use their platforms—whether radio, electronic, or print—to dispel these falsehoods.
She stressed the importance of data-driven reporting and capacity building among media personnel to enhance the impact of family planning awareness campaigns.
Mr. Badejo discussed Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) strategies, including coordination, advocacy, mass media, community mobilization, and message dissemination.
He emphasized the need for collaboration, research, monitoring, and evaluation to ensure the success of family planning initiatives in Lagos.
The training provided a comprehensive framework for media professionals to contribute effectively to the state’s family planning efforts, with a focus on sustainable development and public health.
