Youth Awake for Better Society (YABS) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable populations through a strategic advocacy visit to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) State Office in Owerri, Imo State on 3rd March 2026.
The advocacy visit was carried out in collaboration with the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) Imo State Chapter under the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project supported by the Global Fund through the N-THRIP GC7 grant. The engagement aimed to strengthen collaboration between civil society organizations and the Human Rights Commission in addressing rights-related concerns affecting vulnerable populations and improving accountability in health service delivery.
The advocacy team was received by the NHRC State Coordinator, Dr. Val Madubuko, alongside key members of the Commission’s team including Barr. Ikechukwu Ironali (Chief Legal Officer), Barr. Ifunanya Okoroji, Mrs. Theresa Emetom, Maryann Nwaohiri, and Mrs. Chioma Ossi, Head of the Investigation Unit. Representatives of the NEPWHAN State Team, including the State Programme and Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, as well as media representatives, were also present during the engagement.
During the meeting, YABS and its partners formally introduced the Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project and highlighted its role as a community-driven accountability mechanism that systematically gathers feedback from recipients of HIV, TB, malaria, and other health services. The team emphasized that the CLM project not only supports improvements in service delivery but also serves as a platform for documenting cases of stigma, discrimination, service denial, and other human rights concerns that may occur within healthcare settings.
Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening mechanisms for protecting the rights of People Living with HIV (PLHIV), Key Populations, TB and malaria clients, women, adolescent girls, and other vulnerable groups. The team also emphasized the importance of establishing a structured referral pathway through which cases of human rights violations identified through CLM monitoring activities can be formally reported and addressed by the Commission.
In his response, Dr. Val Madubuko welcomed the advocacy team and commended the efforts of YABS and its partners in promoting accountability and advancing the protection of human rights within communities. He assured the team of the Commission’s willingness to collaborate and receive documented complaints arising from CLM activities for appropriate review and action.
The State Coordinator also expressed support for ongoing advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening legal protection for people affected by HIV, including efforts to advance the passage and enforcement of the HIV Anti-Discrimination law in Imo State.
As an outcome of the visit, both parties agreed to strengthen collaboration through the establishment of a formal referral system for human rights complaints, improved documentation of rights-related issues arising from health service delivery, and joint sensitization initiatives to raise awareness on rights protection within communities.
The engagement also created a direct communication channel between CLM monitors and the NHRC Investigation Unit, which will facilitate the timely reporting and investigation of cases related to stigma, discrimination, gender-based violence, and other human rights violations.
YABS noted that the engagement represents a significant step toward strengthening institutional accountability and ensuring that the voices and rights of community members—particularly vulnerable populations—are protected within the health system.
Youth Awake for Better Society remains committed to sustained collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission and other key stakeholders to promote human rights, eliminate stigma and discrimination, and improve access to quality healthcare services in Imo State.
Report By Fredrick Njoku