Senior Chief Chilikumwendo of Dedza District has encouraged the youth to access sexual and reproductive health services to prevent unplanned pregnancies and contracting sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).
The chief expressed the sentiments on Tuesday when Youth Initiative for Community Development Organisation rolled out a new project to improve access and utilisation of modern contraceptives among women and youths in the area.
The traditional leader asked his subjects to take advantage of the project to reduce unplanned pregnancies in the area; hence, the need for community leaders to take a leading role to convince youths to access the services.
“Let us take advantage of the project to raise awareness and increase uptake of contraceptives to address teen pregnancies,” said Chilikumwendo.
participants. | Chikondi magalasi
Kasumbu Youth Network chairperson Davie Patrick, whose organisation will partner Youth Initiative for Community Development Organisation in implementing the project, said the initiative will improve access to contraceptives for young people.
He said: “We believe the youth will now be able to access contraceptives through youth community-based distribution agents, which was not a case previously.
“In addition, we will train the agents to perform their duties effectively.”
In her remarks, Youth Initiative for Community Development Organisation programme officer Alice Chiusiwa said they want to ensure the availability, access and utilisation of contraceptives among the youth in the district.
“We want young people to have no excuses as contraceptives will now be available in their communities through the agents,” she said.
The organisation is implementing the Improving Access and Utilisation of Modern Contraceptive Methods among Women and Youth in Rural Areas of Dedza District with support from Core Group.
