The Community Development Initiative (CDI) on Friday embarked on sensitization rally in major streets of Abeokuta to promote safe abortion practices and enhancing awareness of the Ogun State Guidelines on Safe Abortion.
The Chief Executive Officer of CDI, Fidelis Igbodipe led the rally, which was started at the Ayetoro garage in Abeokuta North local government and terminated at the popular Lafenwa market in the ancient town.
The team, armed with banners, took time to educate residents particularly at the market about reproductive health rights and the importance of safe abortion to ensure women’s health and safety.
The team said the main objective of the rally was to inform the public about the Ogun State Guidelines on Safe Abortion and its significance in safeguarding women’s reproductive health and their children.
The team enlightened residents on need to always meet professionals before terminating pregnancy, and discouraged mothers and ladies from patronising chemists or native soctors for abortion pills which can destroy their womb or even kill them.
After the rally, which lasted between 8am to 2pm, the team paid advocacy visit to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Community Development, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta and were received by a Director, Mrs Olajumoke Adewusi
The CEO of CDI narrated the story of a secondary school girl who was gang-raped, raising alarm that there had been move by influential people to shield the perpetrators of the crime.
He disclosed that the incident occurred at St Anthony Grammar school, Esure, Ijebu-Mushin, and pleaded with the Ministry to come to the aid of the girl to get justice, contrary to ongoing move to cover up the sad incident.
He also revealed that the NGO has secured a land on which it will build a structure which will serve as transit home for the less privileged and indigent.
Mrs Adewusi thanked the CDI team for the advocacy visit and advised them on the need to pay similar visits to both Ministry of Education and Health, particularly in response to the case of the gang-raped student, assuring that all messages passed to her concerning her Ministry would be made known to the Commissioner for further action.
