AMWA, Faith and Cultural Champions Promote Reproductive Health Education for Married Young Women in Zaria

The Faith and Cultural Champions Group, Almanar Women Association (AMWA), has called for increased awareness of Sexual and Repro...

The Faith and Cultural Champions Group, Almanar Women Association (AMWA), has called for increased awareness of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) among married Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) to promote safe motherhood and reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

The call was made during a female engagement programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health Education held at Raulat Aljanna ISlamiyya Kusfa Limancin Kona Ward, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Speaking during the Sensitazation, the facilitator Aisha Ahmad, said comprehensive reproductive health education equips young women with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions on menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, childbirth and family health.

She explained that SRH education encourages regular antenatal care, skilled birth attendance, postnatal care, proper nutrition, and the early recognition of pregnancy danger signs.

 According to her, it also helps prevent early and unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and harmful misconceptions surrounding menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and family planning.

Ahmad noted that reproductive health education also strengthens communication between spouses, promotes healthy relationships, and empowers women to participate in informed family health decisions.

She stressed that the programme is consistent with Islamic teachings, which encourage the preservation of life, the pursuit of beneficial knowledge, and the seeking of medical treatment, citing relevant Qur'anic verses and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Facilitator said the engagement was designed to improve participants' understanding of reproductive health, promote birth preparedness, encourage health facility delivery, and strengthen family relationships through informed decision-making.

Aisha Ahmad maintained that well-informed and healthy young women are more likely to remain productive members of their families and communities.

Some participants, including  Habiba Yahaya  and Raliya  Yusuf , commended AMWA and the Faith and Cultural Champions (FCC) for organising the programme and pledged to serve as ambassadors in promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health education within their communities.