Knowledge is Power: How Giwyn is Training a Safer Future for Abortion in Nigeria
- Alex le May
- Aug 28
- 3 min read
In Nigeria, the reality is stark: unsafe abortions present a grave risk to the lives and
health of women and girls. While the law is restrictive, stating that abortion is illegal
except to save the life of the pregnant person, the need for safe options remains
critical. Many individuals are forced to self-manage their abortions, often without
accurate information or support, leading to preventable harm.
At Giwyn, we believe knowledge is power. We are dedicated to changing this
narrative by empowering our communities with the information they need to make
safe, informed choices about their reproductive health. A cornerstone of our work is
a comprehensive training program designed for the very people who are often the
first point of contact for those in need: pharmacists, community health workers
(CHWs), and peer educators.
To measure the real-world impact of this initiative, we partnered with Ibis
Reproductive Health to evaluate the changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices
among participants.
Building a Network of Trusted Messengers
Our training program, conducted in Lagos, Owerri, and Abuja, is tailored to equip
these vital community members with accurate and non-judgmental information about
medication abortion. We create a safe and supportive space to address knowledge
gaps and common misconceptions surrounding abortion methods, side effects and
potential complications.
The curriculum is comprehensive, covering:
Medication Abortion Protocols: Detailed information on the correct use of
misoprostol and the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol.
Safety and Effectiveness: Emphasizing that medication abortion is a safe
method to end a pregnancy, especially with the right support.
Legal Clarity: Increasing understanding of Nigeria's abortion laws, including
the legality of providing and receiving information about safe abortion.
Empathetic Counselling: Fostering more favourable and supportive attitudes
toward those seeking abortions and building confidence in discussing the
topic openly.
The Ripple Effect of Knowledge
The results of our training speak for themselves. Before the sessions, many
participants had limited knowledge of medication abortion. After the training, there
was a dramatic increase in understanding and confidence:
94% of participants correctly identified abortion pills as a safe method to end a
pregnancy after the second training.
Knowledge of Nigeria's abortion law skyrocketed, with 97% understanding it is
legal to provide and receive abortion information after the training
There was a significant positive shift in attitudes, with nearly all participants
feeling more comfortable discussing abortion and providing support within the
law.
This newfound knowledge doesn't just stay in the training room. It ripples out into the
community. Participants report discussing safe abortion and other sexual and
reproductive health topics more frequently and with greater confidence. This leads to
more referrals to vital services like our Ms. Rosy hotline, expanding the network of
support and access to safe abortion services across Nigeria.
Together, We Make Reproductive Choice Real
Our training program is more than just education; it's a movement. By equipping
pharmacists, CHWs, and peer educators with life-saving information, we are building
a grassroots network of trust and support. We are empowering individuals to stand
strong in their choices and ensuring that no one has to risk their life for lack of
knowledge.
The full findings from this evaluation have been published in our report, "Training
Pharmacists, Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Peer Educators on
Medication Abortion: An Evaluation of Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes and
Practices. We invite you to learn more by downloading the paper.
Join us in our mission. Get in touch if you want to support us to continue these
vital training programs and expand our reach. Together, we can light the way towards
a future where every woman and girl in Nigeria has the power to make safe,
informed decisions about her own body.
Comments