The state-led O3 Initiative (Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future) supported by UNESCO is making significant strides in improving adolescent health and wellbeing across Osun State, with technical support from ARFH.
In Phase One, the initiative reached learners and communities in four Local Government Areas Irewole, Ede North, Ife Central, and Olorunda. Over 1,100 teachers were trained on Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE), enabling them to provide accurate health information to 140,480 learners. Parents and community members were also engaged, promoting supportive home and community environments for young people.
Building on this foundation, Phase Two is expanding to six additional LGAs: Osogbo, Ifelodun, Ayedaade, Iwo, Ilesa East, and Ilesa West. The initiative aims to create safer, more inclusive, and youth-friendly school and health facility environments, strengthen teacher capacity, and ensure that adolescents have improved knowledge, skills, and access to sexual and reproductive health services.
Early outcomes include enhanced awareness of adolescent health issues, improved parent-child communication, greater community support for health education, and increased linkages between schools and health facilities. By fostering peer engagement, youth-led safety campaigns, and intergenerational dialogue, the initiative is also building social support systems that empower young people to make informed decisions and protect themselves against HIV, unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence.
Through these efforts, the O3 Initiative is transforming schools and communities into environments where adolescents can thrive, learn safely, and access the support they need for a healthier future.
