A 19-year-old undergraduate of Public Health, Sylvia Kamsiyochukwu Nnuekwe, has established a new non-governmental organization (NGO) in Nigeria called Save the Child Health and Empowerment Initiative (SACHEM). The primary focus of SACHEM is to promote reproductive and sexual health education in Nigerian schools. The unveiling ceremony of the NGO took place in Lokoja, where Sylvia expressed her commitment to reducing sexual and gender-based violence in the country.
SACHEM is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a lasting impact on the lives of the next generation in Nigeria by ensuring good health. Sylvia’s initiative aims to raise awareness and provide information and support regarding health, hygiene, and safety to children and adolescent girls in Nigeria. Through various means such as free distribution of hygiene kits and health books, physical workshops and training, performing arts, free counseling and rehabilitation, as well as media campaigns, SACHEM intends to achieve its goals and objectives.
Sylvia emphasized the importance of keeping children and adolescent girls healthy, both physically and mentally, as this will enable them to make a positive impact in their communities and the world at large. To this end, SACHEM plans to establish a healthy girls for impact club in schools, which will educate both girls and boys about sexual and reproductive health, hygiene, gender, and environmental issues. The organization has already started hosting outside school quarterly meetings for the club, offering hygiene kits, health talks, and counseling by expert mentors and counselors.
In Nigeria, the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence is concerning, with data from the World Health Organization (WHO) revealing that one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence from an intimate or non-intimate partner. Additionally, 17 million Nigerian women have encountered some form of violence, representing a significant issue that needs to be addressed. Co-founder of SACHEM, Constance Ogonna Egwuatu, stressed the urgent need to combat sexual and gender-based violence and called upon the government to introduce sexual health education in schools.
During the unveiling ceremony, representatives from SACHEM called on the government and public-spirited individuals to protect the girl child and provide free menstrual hygiene products in order to enhance healthy living. The Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Legislative Affairs, Hon. Haruna Idoko, commended Sylvia for her initiative and assured that the state government would partner with SACHEM to eradicate gender and sexual-based violence in society.
This new NGO, spearheaded by Sylvia Nnuekwe, not only demonstrates her passion for making a positive change but also reflects her desire to realize a dream she had since her days in secondary school years ago. With a vision for a world free of harmful practices that impact the health, safety, and general well-being of children and adolescent girls, SACHEM strives to empower them to dream big and achieve those dreams. Through education, advocacy, and support, SACHEM aims to create a healthy and safe environment for the younger generation in Nigeria, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals three and five.
