By Eletu Suliyat

In a compelling tale of survival and hope, a young woman living with stunted growth and facing street-level exploitation took charge of her future by embracing family planning during a community outreach held in the Boundary area of Ajegunle, Lagos State.

Nofisat Jelil, whose age was not disclosed, quietly agreed to the procedure during the outreach event organised by The Challenge Initiative (TCI). Accompanied by her visually impaired guardian, Mrs Sherifat, Nofisat underwent a routine medical check and received an implant contraceptive method. Her action was not just about her own reproductive health but one of safety and dignity after experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

Nofisat’s grandmother, who expressed deep concern, revealed that as her sole carer, the young woman was responsible for taking her out daily to seek alms, making her vulnerable to abuse and manipulation.

Similarly, community members lamented how men often take advantage of the girl’s situation, offering help only in exchange for sexual favours. With repeated pregnancies posing a threat to their fragile means of survival, Nofisat saw family planning as a crucial step toward protecting her well-being and securing her future

This interview unearths the challenges, motivations, and cultural dynamics behind their journey while shedding light on the importance of community outreach and media messages.

A background of struggles and survival

Nofisat Jelili is a young mother of one who lives in Okoya, Ajegunle, with her elderly grandmother, Mrs Salawu, a non-literate who has raised her since childhood.

Born with stunted growth, Nofisat was unable to complete basic education and lacks a First School Leaving Certificate. She is the third of her siblings—two of whom also live with stunted growth. Her mother, who resides in Ibadan and has not remarried, has struggled to care for them.

In 2020, Nofisat became vulnerable and was impregnated by a miscreant who later denied responsibility for the pregnancy. Left to navigate the challenges of an unplanned motherhood alone, the burden of care fell on her grandmother.

Over time, however, her grandmother entrusted her to a visually impaired friend, Mrs Sherifat, who had recently lost her sight—hoping this new arrangement would provide Nofisat with greater stability.

In 2021, Nofisat began begging for alms alongside Mrs Sherifat. Once a trader, Sherifat lost her source of livelihood after becoming blind. With Nofisat neither enrolled in school nor learning a trade, her grandmother suggested she accompany Sherifat to beg on the streets as a means of survival, although Sherifat chose not to disclose the cause of her vision loss

Nofisat’s New Control Over Her Reproductive Health

Nofisat was on her way to beg for alms alongside Mrs Sherifat when they encountered a family planning outreach organised by The Challenge Initiative (TCI) at Boundary, Ajegunle, in Lagos State.

“We were on our usual daily rounds to beg for alms when I heard the message about family planning. Right there, I told Mama that I wanted to take up family planning so I can take control of my reproductive health,” Sherifat recounted in Yoruba.

Mrs Sherifat supported Nofisat’s decision, noting that the young woman is highly vulnerable to exploitation. “Supporting her to take up family planning is a way of protecting her,” she said. “At least this step may prevent her from going through another experience of an unwanted pregnancy.”

Overcoming myths and misconceptions

Despite her brave step, Nofisat harboured fears. A neighbour had warned her that she would never conceive again, a common myth that discourages many women from seeking reproductive health services.

This reflects a widespread myth that continues to discourage many women from accessing reproductive health services. Fortunately, a health educator at the outreach reassured her that the implant is safe, reversible, and can be removed whenever she decides to have another child.

This interaction underscores the importance of accurate information and continuous community education to dispel harmful myths surrounding family planning.

Family Planning: A Pathway to Economic Stability

Beyond health and social benefits, family planning offers more by enhancing economic well-being. With families able to plan and space births, they are better positioned to allocate their resources effectively, ensuring each child receives adequate nutrition, education, and healthcare.
Also, when women have fewer or well-spaced children, they are more likely to engage in income-generating activities, such as employment or entrepreneurship. This helps increase household income and reduce poverty. Additionally, preventing unplanned pregnancies helps families avoid unexpected financial burdens associated with childbirth and child-rearing.
Nofisat’s story is a clear example of the economic benefits of family planning. According to her grandmother, Mrs Salawu, the decision to adopt a family planning method was a matter of economic necessity.
“I supported the decision for her to take up family planning because the responsibility was falling heavily on me,” she explained in Yoruba.
“The first child Nofisat had was for a street boy who got her pregnant, and the whole situation brought a lot of stress. She even had to undergo surgery and cost me a lot.
“I don’t want such to happen again, especially with the way some of the bad boys around here behave. It could happen again if I am not careful.”

Nofisat’s grandmother reinforces the economic logic behind family planning, as it provides a sense of control, protection, and a better chance at financial stability for vulnerable families.

Conclusion
Nofisat’s story is a testament to the transformative power of well-structured community outreach and media messages. When such messages are effectively delivered and accessible, they can empower even the most vulnerable members of society to make informed health decisions.
Her brave decision is a rallying cry to the urgent need for accessible reproductive health services, especially for vulnerable women and girls.