The Special Adviser on Gender Matters to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Olamide Falana, stated this during a workshop to mark the 2024 World Sexual Health Day in Akure on Wednesday.

The workshop, organised by the state’s Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the World Health Organisation is tagged, “Positive Relationship: My Body, My Right, My Sexual Health.”

Mrs Falana, who said that there were laws enshrined in the constitution to protect young ones from all forms of abuse and discrimination, added that “the state has the Child Rights Law and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.’’

She stated, “These are laws to protect the rights of children and from all forms of violence and intimidation. The laws empower the government to prosecute individuals found culpable in violence and abuse of children. The rights of children are paramount. The laws of Ondo State have appropriate and adequate punishments for sexual abuse and are reviewed from time to time. The punishments are
commensurate with the crimes.”

She urged the workshop participants, who were mostly schoolchildren, to maintain good positive relationships and avoid negative influences that might affect their goals in life.

The special adviser commended the ministry and WHO for organising the workshop, saying the event was to build the participants’ confidence and educate them on their sexual health.

According to her, the young ones should speak out and refuse to suffer in silence when harassed or intimidated.

Mrs Falana enjoined the participants to always set boundaries in their relationship with others and urged them to approach constituted authorities when abused.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Adeniran Ikuomola, said “sexual health is a major factor in human life that must be protected.”

Mr Ikuomola, represented by the Director of Family Health in the ministry, Dr Isaac Aladeniyi, said sexual wellbeing affects all aspects of human life.

He added that there was an increase in sexual health abuse among adolescents, adding that the rate of adolescent prostitution and rape cases has continued to increase in society.

The permanent secretary said that the workshop was to educate adolescents on their rights and steps to avoid sexual coercion and the need for their bodies to be in a state of wellbeing for them to function well in their endeavours.

According to him, the ministry with other relevant organisations periodically organise programmes on managing depression, among others.

He stated that more than 100 students participated in the workshop, urging those that might be caught in any form of abuse to speak to the appropriate bodies for help.

On her part, representative of WHO in Akure Office, Modupelola Dosumu, commended the state government for taking the sexual wellbeing of adolescents in the state seriously.

Ms Dosumu advised the participants to always be alert about their sexual wellness and ensure they made the right choices every time.

She enjoined them not to negotiate with their bodies, which she described as their pride.

Two of the participants, Ifeoma Eric and Authentic Olumayowa, said that the workshop enlightened the young ones on how to keep
away from wrongs and maintain good health.

(NAN)