From Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki
The Daughters of Virtue and Empowerment Initiative (DOVENET), in partnership with Jhpiego and the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), has reached 33,629 people with health awareness messages across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ebonyi State.
The intervention was implemented under the Global Fund-supported Advancing Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights-Community Development (SRHR-CD) Project.
Programme Manager of DOVENET, Igwe Magnus, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the activities and achievements of the project in the state.
Magnus said the project, which commenced in February and is scheduled to end in October 2026, was implemented in 15 communities across the three senatorial zones of Ebonyi State, covering Afikpo North, Ebonyi and Ezza South LGAs.
He explained that the programme targeted adolescents, young people, women of childbearing age, caregivers and other members of the communities.
According to him, of the 33,629 people reached with Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) messages, 14,487 were young people aged between 10 and 24 years who received information on sexual and reproductive health.
He added that 29,655 people were reached with cervical cancer sensitisation messages, while 949 people were referred or linked to appropriate health services.
The programme also recorded 205 community-led activities, a development Magnus said demonstrated strong community ownership of the intervention.
The project was implemented through selected health facilities, including Abofia, Nnodo, Oguzoronweya and Okaria health centres in Ebonyi LGA; Amaezekwe, Amuzu, Ezzama, Okoffia and Acharaugwu Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Ezza South; and Poperi, Amachara, Nkagbogo, Unwana and Ugwuegu PHCs in Afikpo North.
Also speaking, DOVENET’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr Peter Ewa, said the implementation of the SRHR project at the community level led to the establishment of youth-friendly corners in health facilities.
He explained that the spaces provided young people with safe and confidential environments where they could discuss their concerns and access relevant information and services in a respectful manner.
