Karonga district youth officer Lapken Liwago has underscored the need to train more youth in vocational skills to become financially independent.
He said this on Monday at the beginning of a two-day training for 30 youths in vocational skills as well as sexual and reproductive health rights that Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organisation organised in the district.
Said Liwago: “The training will provide information to the youth and health service providers regarding sexual and reproductive health rights.
“The youths will acquire technical skills such as making sanitary pads, which will promote menstrual hygiene among girls and help them generate income through sales of the sales.”
He commended the organisation for the initiative, saying most youths fail to access informal technical trainings due to inadequate financial resources at the District Youth Office and low partner support towards such programmes.
On her part, 17-year-old Grace Mandala from Mwangalawa Village, thanked the organisation for the training, saying reusable sanitary pads and peanut-making skills will empower her economically.
The organisation’s programmes manager Gomezgani Mhango said the camp session for the youth will offer awareness on sexual and reproductive health services, life skills and leadership development.
“The camp will expose the youth to interactive activities, including making pads to respond to menstrual hygiene management,” she said.
The organisation conducted the training under Fiska Ulato Project with financial support from Breuckmann Foundation and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
