2-Days training on communication strategy for Youth Advocacy Group (YAG
As part of the capacity building and development for young people, Education as a Vaccine and partners on Partnership to Inspire, Transform and Connect the HIV Response (PITCH)-AGYW project conducted a two day training each on communication strategy between 7th and 8th, and 13th and 14th June for its Youth Advocacy Group (YAG) members in Abuja and Benue state respectively.
Communication is an integral part of advocacy, the communication strategy training was organized to help the YAG members design and implement advocacy campaign as well as build their public speaking aptitude to be able to deliver on the three objectives of the project- lowering the age of consent, pushing for the implementation of the anti-stigma act and removing user fee for those living with HIV/AIDs in health facilities
Izundu Kosi, EVA’s Program Coordinator stated in her opening remark that partner organisations have built the capacity of young advocates in the past and have carried out different advocacy activities to influence policies. “Young people, especially those affected by HIV are best positioned to shape policies and practices required to end HIV epidemics and stigmitisation” she added.
The two-day training attended by 14 YAG members was in different sessions which included but not limited to developing social media messages, photography, public speaking and advocacy pitch- all pertinent to their advocacy campaign.
Also narrating her experience, the YAG coordinator, Grace Iho acknowledged that what they learnt during the training can guide them to achieving the campaign objectives. “The training has provided us with skills to interact on a wider scale with policymakers, as well as built our confidence using social media to deliver our advocacy messages”, she added.
The trainer, Atinuke-Ayo was supported by EVA’s staff to facilitate the training. She emphasized
on developing an effective strategy to make a huge difference in social media advocacy.
At the end of the training, the skills acquired will spur YAG members to develop good advocacy messages and implement them to correct the narratives that surround laws, policies and practices that preclude young people from accessing sexual and reproductive health services in Nigeria.