Pledges advocacy around endometriosis among girls
By Adeola Ogunlade
“It was painful to see girls like me enduring such suffering as I researched and wrote about endometriosis. This ignited a passion and drive in me to raise awareness about the condition,” said Toluwani Kasamu, a science student from Anglican Comprehensive College, Lagos.
Kasamu shared these sentiments after emerging as the winner of the 2024 Endometriosis Support Group Nigeria (ESGN) Senior Secondary School Essay Competition. Competing against hundreds of entries nationwide, she secured the top spot, followed by first runner-up Oyefunmilayo Ireoluwa Oloyede, also from Anglican Comprehensive College, and second runner-up Sharon Evbota from Dabitos College, Mushin.
Kasamu was awarded a cash prize of ₦100,000, with her school receiving a complete set of computer equipment, including a printer and UPS. The first runner-up received ₦75,000, while the second runner-up took home ₦50,000.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside it, leading to pain and potential infertility. It affects approximately 190 million women and girls of reproductive age globally. While there is no known cure, treatments focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.
Kasamu credited her school for equipping her with the tools to succeed in the competition and pledged to do her part in raising awareness. “Before this competition, I knew nothing about endometriosis. Researching for my essay was eye-opening and underscored the importance of accurate information. I have already started educating my friends and plan to use every available platform to spread awareness,” she said.
Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, Managing Director of Nordica Fertility Centre and convener of ESGN, congratulated the winners and emphasized the importance of the essay competition in educating young girls.
“It is crucial to empower young girls and women with knowledge about endometriosis so they can make informed decisions and become advocates for this often-overlooked condition,” Ajayi said.
He highlighted the unique challenges of addressing endometriosis, particularly in teenage girls and young women, describing it as “hidden, progressive, and severe.”
He added, “This competition was created to raise awareness not only among medical professionals but also among young women who can drive conversations about endometriosis in their communities.”
Ajayi expressed optimism about the growing interest among young girls in understanding and advocating for endometriosis awareness. “When we began this journey, raising awareness was tough. Over time, we realized that empowering women and sensitizing teenagers and adolescents was the way forward. I am thrilled to see the impact of initiatives like this essay competition.”