Community leaders in Traditional Authority Kyungu in Karonga are encouraging women and girls to access family planning services to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).
The campaign follows concerns that some cultural beliefs and misconceptions about family planning services were fuelling early marriages and teen pregnancies in the area.
To address the situation, acting group village head Mwakeyu Malema has accepted to become an agent of change to advocate for access to contraceptives.
Speaking on Tuesday during a sexual and reproduction health awareness that Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organisation conducted, she said as a female traditional leader, she wants women and girls to access contraceptives.
“If we are to safeguard girls’ future, we have to accept realities of life. Let us embrace family planning services and allow the youth access the services to prevent unplanned pregnancies and STIs,” said Malema.
On her part, Malema II Youth Club chairperson Maina Munthali urged the youth not to succumb to parents’ resistance against contraceptives.
He said: “Resisting family planning services has resulted in school dropouts due to pregnancies.
M’Mbelwa District Council has commended the Foundation for Children’s Rights for protecting the rights of children in Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba.
In an interview on Tuesday, the council’s social welfare officer Bernard Nangwale said the organisation’s awareness campaigns on child abuse helped people to understand how to protect children.
He said: “The organisation’s focus on youth economic empowerment through village savings and loans groups has been effective in reducing vulnerability to sexual violence against girls.
“Although the six-month project has phased out, we are looking forward to working with them in future.”
On his part, the organisation’s project manager Chimwemwe Singini said their project focused on promoting children’s access to education, healthcare and
“The awareness campaign and the solidarity walk we conducted will help parents and traditional leaders understand the importance of allowing the youth to access family planning services.”
Karonga district youth officer Lapken Liwago commended the organisation for the awareness.
Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organisation media officer Emmanuel Moyo said the activity provided a platform for the youth to interact with health personnel and get correct answers on sexual and reproductive health services.
“Our aim is to reduce unplanned pregnancies and STIs to have productive youths who can contribute to the country’s development,” he said.
The organisation conducted the awareness with support from the Breuckmann Foundation and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
