A major eight-month health intervention has successfully reached 33,629 residents across Ebonyi State with critical sexual and reproductive health education, project officials announced.
The initiative, implemented by the Daughters of Virtue and Empowerment Initiative (DOVENET), ran from February to October 2026. The project was executed in partnership with Jhpiego and the National AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and STIs Control Programme (NASCP) under the Global Fund-supported Advancing Integrated SRHR-CD Project.
Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki, DOVENET Programme Manager Igwe Magnus, disclosed that the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights–Community Development (SRHR-CD) project spanned 15 communities across three local government areas (LGAs) representing Ebonyi's three senatorial zones: Afikpo North, Ebonyi, and Ezza South.
The intervention targeted key demographics, including adolescents, young people, women of childbearing age, and caregivers. A statistical breakdown of the project’s achievements includes:
Total Reach: 33,629 individuals received Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) messages.
Youth Engagement: 14,487 young people aged 10 to 24 received tailored sexual and reproductive health information.
Cancer Awareness: 29,655 individuals were sensitized on cervical cancer prevention.
Healthcare Integration: 949 persons were successfully referred or linked to direct clinical services.
Sustainability: 205 community-led activities were organized, demonstrating strong local ownership of the program.
The operations were anchored across 14 primary health centres, including Abofia, Nnodo, Oguzoronweya, and Okaria in Ebonyi LGA; Amaezekwe, Amuzu, Ezzama, Okoffia, and Acharaugwu in Ezza South; and Poperi, Amachara, Nkagbogo, Unwana, and Ugwuegu in Afikpo North.
Structural Breakthroughs and Local Challenges.
A major legacy of the intervention is the establishment of "youth-friendly corners" within the rural health facilities. DOVENET’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Mr. Peter Ewa, noted that these spaces provided safe, private, and respectful environments for young people to discuss health concerns and access services, which significantly boosted clinic attendance among adolescents.
Despite these successes, the project faced deep-seated systemic and social hurdles.
"Deep-rooted cultural beliefs, social taboos, and the fear of public judgment created a stigma that made some young people hesitant to seek services like contraception," Ewa stated.
He also highlighted logistics gaps discovered during supportive supervisory visits, notably supply chain shortages for HIV testing kits and prevention medications, such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). These stockouts occasionally forced patients to seek care elsewhere, leading to dropouts before the referral process could be completed.
Media Partnership and Project Closeout.
As the project winds down this October, the Executive Director of DOVENET, Mrs. Ugo Nnachi, expressed her gratitude to stakeholders and the media for their critical role in amplifying the campaign's message across Ebonyi State. She emphasized that the partnerships forged during the eight-month drive would serve as a foundation for future health interventions in the region.
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