Empowering the Vulnerable: The Role of Integrated Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) in Upholding Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of Adolescent Girls in Humanitarian Settings

Oladosu Ojengbede, Center for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health
Tolulope Babawarun, Center for Comprehensive promotion of Reproductive Health
Mohammed Bello, Center for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health
Oloruntomiwa Oyetunde, Center for Comprehensive Promotion of Reproductive Health
Matthew Onoja, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Christian Sabum, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

The humanitarian crisis in Northeastern Nigeria has disrupted health services, with services for adolescent reproductive health particularly affected, resulting in women and girls’ vulnerability and exposure to sexual violence, early marriage, and unintended pregnancies. This abstract explores WGSS contribution to fulfilling the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of internally displaced women and girls, particularly focusing on the provision of essential SRHR services, prevention of gender-based violence, and empowerment through education and skills development. Service provision data on SRH, GBV and skills empowerment from five Integrated Women and Girls Safe spaces located in Borno state Nigeria collected between January 2023 to June 2024 is presented. A total of 22,586 WOMEN and 13,513 girls were reached with SRH and GBV sensitization and awareness, with half been girls <19 years. Among beneficiaries of antenatal, post natal and family planning services, about one third were girls <19 years of age. Case management for GBV was provided for 1,257 individuals with 45.7% <19 years. While 9,525 benefitted from skills acquisition and economic empowerment activities. WGSS provide a sustainable and verifiable avenue for the provision of integrated SRH, GBV and skills empowerment especially for women and girls in humanitarian settings.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Family Planning and Contraception, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

See extended abstract.