Date: 4 July 2025 | Venue: Goethe-Institut, Lagos

Theme: Building Bridges of Understanding and Inclusion

AHRDI, in partnership with Goethe-Institut Nigeria, hosted a historic dialogue bringing together religious leaders, human rights advocates, development practitioners, and LGBTQIA+ community members to discuss the often-sensitive intersection of faith, sexuality, and human rights.

Key Moments:

 • Opening by Dr. Idowu Olufunmilola O. – A heartfelt call to dismantle stigma, embrace compassion, and foster open, respectful conversations in faith spaces.

 • Personal reflection by ED Peter Emmanuel Akakasiaka – Sharing his journey from rejection in a church community to founding AHRDI, transforming pain into purpose.

 • Guest Keynote by Chimdimma Ike – Faith as a universal principle of justice; sexuality as a natural truth; and human rights as non-negotiable.

 • Panel Highlights – Pastor Mautin Adedoyin Olubanjo emphasized compassion in teaching scripture; Benet Paul affirmed his identity and faith; Elizabeth Talatu Williams urged churches to normalize sexuality education.

Takeaways:

Love, empathy, and inclusive dialogue are essential for healing and unity. AHRDI will continue facilitating these conversations at community, national, and global levels.

SPEED Project – June 2025 Progress

Location: Ado Ekiti LGA, Ekiti State

Partner: Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS)

Project: Sustainable Program for HIV Epidemic Control and Equitable Service Delivery

Following a suspension earlier this year, the CDC/PEPFAR-supported SPEED Project resumed in June under a limited waiver, focusing on life-saving HIV services for the general population while excluding all key population components from the scope.

June Highlights:

 • Site Mapping for Index Testing – Targeting sexual partners and biological children of HIV-positive clients to break transmission chains.

 • Resumption & Orientation Meeting – ECEWS HQ provided detailed guidance on the revised scope, compliance requirements, and prohibited activities, especially regarding abortion-related services.

 • Community Engagement – Outreach Workers, Case Managers, and testing staff revalidated for effective service delivery.

Key Achievements:

 • Strengthened stakeholder alignment on HIV case-finding strategies.

 • Maintained continuity of HIV testing and linkage to care.

AGYW Empowerment & SRHR Education Sessions

Date: 22–24 June 2025 | Location: Badagry, Lagos State

Project: Building Health and Leadership Skills for Adolescent Girls and Young Women

In June, AHRDI implemented a targeted empowerment program for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) to strengthen their knowledge and agency on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, and leadership.

Highlights:

 • SRHR Workshops – Interactive sessions covering HIV prevention (including PrEP), menstrual hygiene management, and access to youth-friendly health services.

 • GBV Response Training – Practical strategies on recognizing abuse, accessing legal and psychosocial support, and breaking cycles of silence.

 • Leadership Circles – Mentorship sessions with young female leaders who have overcome barriers to education and economic independence.

 

Key Achievements:

 • 45 AGYW trained as peer educators to cascade SRHR information in their schools and communities.

 • Increased awareness of local referral pathways for health, legal, and psychosocial support services.

 • Strengthened the confidence of participants to speak up against harmful norms and practices.

 

What’s Next

 • Resource Guide on Faith, Sexuality & Human Rights for faith communities and civil society.

 • Continuous Community Dialogues to bridge divides between religious and marginalized communities.

 • SPEED Project Action Plan to expand index testing reach and improve viral load monitoring.

 

In Pictures

 • Panelists & participants at the Faith, Sexuality & Human Rights Dialogue.

 • SPEED Project site mapping in action.

 • AHRDI team with community partners.

 • AGYW empowerment sessions in Badagry.

Access to Health and Rights Development Initiative (AHRDI)

Lagos, Nigeria | www.ahrdi.org | ✉ info@ahrdi.org

“Equality for All”

Photos

Cross section of Panelist during their discourse at the diaogue

Group picture of AHRDI Team who ensured the dialogue was successful

Panelist and participants at the dialogue in a group photograph

Cross section of AHRDI management and ad hoc staff during the meetings

Cross section of AHRDI Staffs monitoring Field workers during the Quarterly supervisory visit in target LGAS

AHRDI Stakeholders meeting in session

Stakeholders in a Group Picture

AHRDI clients and Community members during the support group meeting 

 

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