By Fatima Muraina

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Institutions of academic learning have been urged to embrace a proper synergy between the Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) in a bid to eradicate sexual Reproductive health challenges facing Nigeria.
A global health Advocate, Mr Martins Mary Falana gave the advice while featuring as a guest speaker in a webinar organised by the Ondo state chapter of the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists in Nigeria (NRHJN) held to commemorate the International Women’s Day.
Falana, who is the Executive Director of Kids and Teens Resource Center in Nigeria spoke on Sexual Reproductive Health challenges facing Nigerian Women.
He attributed the causes of sexual challenges to lack of sexual education, pointing to cultural norms and ideology opposition to family planning, abortion among others.
According to him, meeting people’s sexual and reproductive health is not a governmental obligation but a collective and social responsibility of all citizenry.
He said government should work with relevant and established Non governmental organisations (NGOs) to start the services of adolescent youths friendly health centers.
He raised the need for a redress of the present situation with a view to restructuring and developing a time bound strategic framework that will be in line with government strategic plan.
Falana advised on the promotion of what he called a healthy sexual maturation from pre-adolescent and throughout the life time and gender parity.
He however declared for the elimination of all harmful practices like female genital mutilation, child domestic and sexual violence against women saying that more women are needed in position of leadership to make effective changes of the present situation.