Application of social and behaviour change communication strategies has been endorsed as an effective solution to the menace of open defecation.
This was the consensus of stakeholders at the quarterly Social & Behavioural Change Committee, SBCC meeting, organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF held in Ibadan.
The participants who agreed that open defecation is a disgusting and dirty practice that affects the health of the children, adults in a community, state and the nation, called for strict enforcement of environmental laws to checkmate the trend.
Addressing the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation, Mr. Rotimi Babalola described open defecation as well as other children and women related health challenges a global concern that must be tackled headlong through collective efforts.
Earlier, the new Director in charge of UNICEF’s programmes in the ministry, Mrs. Bukola Bakare, called for the support of the stakeholders to build on the social foundation laid by her predecessor, Mr. Babalola.
The Social and Behavioural Change Specialist at the UNICEF, Lagos Field Office, Mrs. Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, appreciated members of the committee for their commitment in the year past, urging them to come up with new ideas to drive the SBC advocacy.
On her part, the Communication Officer, UNICEF projects in the ministry, Mrs. Adeola Adewole said the main objective of the setting up the committee was to promote and scale behavioural of change at individual and community levels to drive positive outcomes for children and adolescents across key thematic areas in the state.
Members of the Oyo State – UNICEF Social & Behavioral Change committee, SBCCOM, were drawn from all sectors of human endeavours including religious leaders, market leaders, non – governmental organisations, ministries, departments and agencies of government as well as the media.
