SID Initiative advances inclusive SRHR through mentorship, advocacy alignment session in Lagos

Sustainable Impact and Development (SID) Initiative, through Project Equal Care supported by AUEU YouthLab, convened a One-Day Mentorship and Advocacy Alignment Session for Policy Influencers and Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) with Disabilities at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on 26th March, 2026.

The session brought together AGYW with disabilities, policy influencers, and key government stakeholders in a shared space for dialogue, learning, and action, strengthening collective efforts to advance inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Lagos State.

Building on a series of prior capacity-building engagements, the session marked a critical transition from knowledge-sharing to implementation.

Discussions focused on aligning advocacy priorities and co-creating practical strategies to improve access to Adolescent and Youth-Friendly Health Services (AYFHS) for AGYW with disabilities.

A key highlight of the engagement was a mentorship session facilitated by  Assumpta Khalil, which explored inclusive communication, empathy across diverse disability clusters, and effective advocacy approaches.

The session equipped both mentors and mentees with tools to translate advocacy priorities into clear, actionable steps.
Speaking during the session, Gloria Williams, SID Initiative’s Program Officer, presented outcomes from previous engagements, including the development of a policy brief titled “Improving Access to Adolescent and Youth-Friendly Health Services for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) with Disabilities in Lagos, Nigeria.”

She emphasised the initiative’s strategic advocacy priority:
“Under Project Equal Care, our advocacy priority is to align with government efforts by promoting inclusion and improving enrollment in the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme. Addressing the barriers that limit access for AGYW with disabilities is critical to achieving equitable healthcare in Lagos State.”

Government representatives from the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) and the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA) also shared insights on navigating policy spaces and strengthening collaboration.

Representing LSPHCB, Kehinde, Assistant Director reaffirmed the Board’s commitment to inclusive health systems:

“We recognize the importance of these advocacy asks and the realities shared here today. As a Board, we are committed to working collaboratively to ensure that our health systems become more inclusive and responsive. We are open to continued engagement to make this a success.”

A defining moment of the session was the mentor–mentee action planning segment, where participants worked in pairs to co-develop practical advocacy plans aligned with the identified priorities.

This collaborative process strengthened relationships and reinforced a shared commitment to advancing inclusive SRHR policies and services in Lagos State.

SID Initiative says it remains committed to creating platforms that amplify the voices of AGYW with disabilities and to driving collaborative action that ensures equitable access to healthcare for all.