Point of Progress Organisation has underscored the importance of equipping the youth with sexual and reproductive health knowledge to reduce teen pregnancies and empower them to fight sexual abuse.
To achieve the goal, the organisation on Saturday trained 40 youth leaders from youth clubs in traditional authorities (T/As) Malili and Chimutu in Lilongwe District under the Comprehensive Health Options through Innovative Community Engagement (Choice) project.
Speaking during the training in Mponela, Dowa, the organisation’s thematic lead for health and nutrition programmes Patricia Magombo said they wanted to empower the peer educators with knowledge and skills to engage their fellow youths in their communities.
“We expect them to conduct peer to peer education sessions on issues that affect them such as how to avoid teenage
pregnancies, to report gender-based violence and refer their peers to relevant authorities,” she said.
Magombo said the strategies the organisation put in place will help reduce teenage pregnancies in its targeted areas.
One of the participants from Kachere Youth Club, Martha Wadi, said the training was crucial as it will help them get the right information on sexual and reproductive health
She said most girls get unplanned pregnancies because they do not know how and where to access sexual and reproductive health services such as contraceptives.
“We will engage our fellow youths to change their mindset on some beliefs and misconceptions,” said Wadi.
The organisation is running the seven-year project with support from Global Affairs Canada through Oxfam in Malawi.
