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NGO drills 510 SRH peer educators

Parent and Child Health Initiative has drilled 510 peer educators in traditional authorities (T/As) Mthiramanja and Ndanga in Mulanje to encourage youths to seek sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting, the organisation’s Mulanje district integrated sexual and reproductive health rights and gender-based violence (GBV) project coordinator Carlos Msosa said they are working with 34 youth clubs to end teen pregnancies and early marriages.

He said: “We want youths to access family planning services to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

“We also disseminate SRH messages on Mzati Community Radio Station.”

Masikini speaks during the meeting

On his part, Mthiramanja Youth Network chairperson Daniel Masikini said the organisation has promoted the uptake of contraceptives among youths.

He said: “Mulanje is one of the district’s that has high cases of teen pregnancies because many youths did not know where to access SRH services or report GBV cases.

“However, the youth know where to access family planning services and report GBV. The youth have also been linked with service in their areas.”

In his remarks, Mulanje District Health Office health promotion officer Chipiliro Mjojo said he was pleased to see youths discussing SRH issues.

He said: “Recently, another organisation implementing HIV project in T/A Mthiramanja conducted voluntary counselling and testing.

“I was pleased to see many youths getting tested. This is a sign that they have been empowered.”

Mjojo also said the initiative has addressed teen pregnancies and early marriages in the area.

With funding from Unicef, the organisation is implementing a GBV and SRH project in the district.

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