Amina had big dreams for herself and her future. She yearned to explore the world beyond the village and receive an education. Her heart was set on becoming a nurse, to help heal the sick and bring comfort to those in pain. However, she knew that her dreams would have to wait, for she had a family to care for.

Amina was married to Ali, a hardworking man who shared her dreams and supported her ambitions. They had two beautiful children, a son named Hassan and a daughter named Layla. Amina loved her family dearly but knew that bringing more children into their small home would make it even harder for her to pursue her dreams.

One day, as she sat beneath the shade of a giant baobab tree, Amina heard whispers of a new arrival in the village – a health worker named Fatima. Fatima had been trained in modern healthcare practices and contraception methods. She had come to the village to educate the women about family planning and contraception.

Intrigued, Amina decided to attend one of Fatima’s information sessions. There, she learned about the various methods of contraception available, their benefits, and how they could help her take control of her reproductive health. Fatima also explained how contraception could empower Amina to have the family she desired while still pursuing her dreams.

With this newfound knowledge, Amina approached Ali and shared her hopes and dreams. She explained that by using contraception, they could plan the size of their family and ensure that Amina could pursue her education without the added responsibility of more children.

Ali, who loved and respected Amina, listened attentively. He understood the wisdom in her words and agreed to support her decision. Together, they visited Fatima to discuss their options. After careful consideration, they chose a suitable contraceptive method that aligned with their goals.

As the months passed, Amina continued to care for her family and work in the fields, but she also started attending evening classes, taking steps toward her dream of becoming a nurse. She was able to allocate more time and resources to her education, thanks to the contraception they had chosen.

Years went by, and Amina’s dreams became a reality. She became a dedicated nurse, tending to the sick and bringing comfort to those in need. She also shared her knowledge of contraception with other women in the village, helping them take control of their own lives and pursue their aspirations.

Amina’s story spread far and wide, becoming an inspiring tale of empowerment and determination. She proved that with access to contraception, women could shape their destinies, fulfill their dreams, and make the world a better place.

Like Amina there are many women who face the challenges she faced before being exposed to contraception methods by the nurse. In a world where access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare is often a challenge, TOMBEY, an innovative adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (SRH) project, is breaking barriers and creating a brighter future for women and young people in Nigeria. Designed to provide safe, non-discriminatory access to quality, affordable, and appropriate SRH information and services, TOMBEY is a beacon of hope and change for women like Amina.

TOMBEY’s holistic approach to SRH access is built on four pillars: a website, a mobile application, mobile chat, and Short Message Service (SMS). Together, these platforms serve as a lifeline for adolescents and youths, ensuring they receive the information and support they need to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

Education is empowerment, and TOMBEY recognizes this fundamental truth. Through its website and mobile application, TOMBEY offers comprehensive sexuality education that equips young people with the knowledge they need to navigate the complexities of SRH. From understanding their bodies to making responsible choices, TOMBEY ensures that no question goes unanswered and no topic is left unexplored.

TOMBEY goes beyond education; it facilitates access to essential SRH services, including life-saving contraceptives. By using the platform, young people can locate adolescent-friendly centers in their vicinity, ensuring that quality care is never out of reach. This ease of access transforms the lives of countless women and young people, granting them control over their reproductive health and future.

In the digital age, interactivity is key. TOMBEY understands that young people need more than just information; they need a supportive community. TOMBEY’s interactive chat platforms provide a safe space for adolescents to ask questions, seek guidance, and share experiences. These platforms foster a sense of belonging and ensure that no one feels alone on their SRH journey.

To access the wealth of information and services TOMBEY offers, all it takes is a visit to www.tombey.org. This web portal serves as a gateway to a world of empowerment, where young people can take charge of their SRH and make choices that will positively impact their lives.

TOMBEY’s mission is clear—to empower women and young people with the knowledge, skills, and access they need to make informed choices and lead productive lives. By bridging the gap in SRH education and services, TOMBEY is lighting the path forward, not just for today’s generation but for generations to come.

In a world where too many are denied the information and services they deserve, TOMBEY is a shining example of what is possible when technology, education, and empowerment come together. It’s a reminder that, no matter the challenges, access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. Through TOMBEY, this right is being realized, and women and young people are finding the support they need to thrive.

The post Amina’s Journey: Empowering Dreams through Contraception and Education appeared first on HACEY.

Myth 1: Emergency Contraception is Only for the Morning After
You don’t have to wait until the morning after unprotected sex to use the emergency contraceptive pill. In fact, it’s more effective the sooner you take it – as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If pregnancy is not in your plans right now, it’s a good idea to have the emergency contraceptive pill within easy reach, just in case. However, although the emergency contraceptive pill is a safe and effective way to avoid pregnancy for the occasional sexual mishap, it should never be used as a regular method of birth control.

Myth 2: You’re protected for the rest of your cycle
Taking the emergency contraceptive pill does not protect you from pregnancy later on in your cycle. If you have sex again before you have your period, you would need to use another form of contraception. Emergency contraception is not designed to be used as a regular form of contraception but can be used more than once in a cycle if necessary.

Myth 3: The morning after pill makes you infertile
The morning after pill acts as temporary contraception, and there is currently no evidence that using it increases the risk of infertility. It is not even effective for any subsequent times you have sex after taking it.

Myth 4: You’ll experience side effects from the morning-after pill
The morning after pill is considered safe to use, and not everyone will experience emergency contraception side effects. While some people report side effects such as headaches, nausea, tiredness, and irregular menstrual bleeding, many people do not experience anything negative at all.

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However, there are still inadequate Youth Friendly Family Planning (FP) services to cater to this growing population of young people. The proportion who uses contraceptives relies on available methods over the counter (condoms and Emergency Contraceptive Pills ECP’s) or other traditional means for preventing pregnancy (concoctions).
Additionally, the unavailability of a policy that expressly gives young people unrestricted access to FP services without parental consent or providers’ discretion limits young people’s confidence in visiting the available centres due to fear of providers bias. Based on feedback received from beneficiaries on the Youth Amplify project across the five implementation states (Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Lagos and Ekiti), lack of information on contraceptives to make informed choices, socio-cultural beliefs and provider’s attitudes remain a significant challenge to acceptability and use of contraception amongst young people.
Evidence has shown that contraception presents excellent opportunities and benefits for Nations and their economies by preventing pregnancy-related health risks, reducing infant mortality, preventing HIV/AIDS, empowering people, enhancing education, reducing adolescent pregnancies, and slowing population growth. Since 2017, every 26th September has been set aside to commemorate World Contraception Day to raise public awareness on contraception and enable young people to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.
This year’s event, which is themed My life, My responsibility, re-enforces the right of every female to decide when and the number of children to bear.
HAPPY WORLD CONTRACEPTION DAY

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