A public health practitioner and researcher, Goodness Odey, has emphasised promoting and strengthening self-care strategies for sexual reproductive health and rights.

Ms Odey, an SRHR advocate, said this in an interview on Thursday in Lagos.

She stated that there were age-long cultural socialisation patterns in the country that had made women and girls not actualise their reproductive rights.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being and not entirely the absence of disease or infirmity.

In terms of sexual health and reproductive health, Mr Odey said it entailed the importance of having that complete state of sexual and reproductive health and well-being.

“The rights components remind us that as humans, we should address or respect the right of everyone to attaining the best quality, sexual care, reproductive care, information, services, and justice. Women and girls in our clime do not have bodily autonomy,” Ms Odey explained.

She noted that “you don’t believe that your body says yes, and this is an age-long socialisation issue that stems from our cultural beliefs.”

“This has restricted these women from deciding what would happen to their body, The number of children they can have, the kind of contraceptive they will be able to access that is suitable to their reproductive health needs and when they want to have sex,” said Ms Odey.

She added, “It has restricted how they want to be treated, the consent to say ‘I don’t want,’ ‘I want’, and it cuts across various demographics. There are many nuances when it comes to culture because Nigeria is a very diverse country.”

Ms Odey, highlighting the importance of self-care, said self-care strategies helped to boost SRHR, which helps to manage and prevent sexual and reproductive challenges, ailments and diseases.

According to her, at the core of self-care is the ability of individuals and communities to manage their health, prevent diseases, and protect themselves.

She added that even in the cases of disability, one could navigate life without dependency on the healthcare system.

(NAN)