By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
In many underserved communities in Benue State, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) continue to face stigma, limited access to healthcare, and exclusion from decision-making spaces. For Terkumbur, this was once her reality.
Sharing her experience with journalists, during the closeout ceremony in Makurdi, a participant who simply gave her name as Terkumbur said she had little knowledge of her sexual and reproductive health and rights,SRHR, while growing up in a vulnerable community.
She explained that fear of stigma and negative attitudes from healthcare providers discouraged her from seeking services.
According to her, many young women around her were equally excluded from platforms where decisions about their health and wellbeing were made.
She recalled during the interview that she used to be scared to speak or even go for health services or know that she had rights, pointing out that her journey began to change when she participated in activities implemented by the Concerned Women International Development Initiative (CWIDI) under the Gender Equality Fund (GEF) project funded Y+ Global /Her Voice.
Terkumbur emphasized that through a two-day stakeholder consultative meeting and other advocacy sessions, she engaged with community leaders, stakeholders, and fellow AGYW to discuss barriers to accessing healthcare,she became enlightened, admitting that for the first time, she was not just a participant but a contributor.
She stated that through these engagements, she gained critical knowledge on HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and SRHR.
Terkumbur noted that more importantly, she began to understand her rights and the importance of accessing healthcare without fear or discrimination.
She said the safe and inclusive platform also helped her build confidence, how to communicate and also developed advocacy skills, affirming that her story is no longer the same.
Similarly Terkumbur feels more confident, informed, and proactive about her health, pointing out that she now speaks openly with her peers, encouraging them to seek healthcare services and understand their rights.
“What was once fear has been replaced with courage,am no longer silent. I’ve become an advocate” she said stressing that her transformation goes beyond personal growth.
The young Terkumbur during the interview noted that she now represents a growing movement of young women who are demanding inclusion, dignity, and access to quality healthcare services, stressing that she is particularly passionate about reducing stigma and ensuring that AGYW in her community are not left behind.
Terkumbur who said with the knowledge gained she has become an advocate to educate young girls to know they have a voice as well as deserve better lives, promised to continue to engage in advocacy and community initiatives like supporting peer education and amplifying voices of marginalized young women.
Terkumbur also told journalists that with the right support, she is determined to contribute to lasting change in her community, stressing that her story should serve as a powerful reminder that when young women are given the opportunity, knowledge, and space to participate, they will not just benefit but leads and commended CWIDI for the impact programme.
