Chipembere Community Development Organisation has intensified efforts to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services among adolescent and young people in Thyolo District.
On Wednesday, the organisation facilitated an outreach clinic at Mbeluko Village in Traditional Authority Nchiramwela that offered young people an opportunity to access reproductive health services such as contraceptives.
In his remarks, Chipembere Community Development Organisation executive director Dalitso Chiwayula said many young people, including female sex workers, remain disempowered due to limited knowledge of policies, rights and available support systems.
“Many adolescents in Thyolo District struggle to exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights because they are not fully aware of the policies that protect them. This campaign is about empowerment, building their confidence to make informed choices, speak out and demand services that respond to their needs,” he said.
Nchiramwela Youth Network chairperson Cassim Martin observed that lack of access to reproductive health information has contributed to early marriages and unsafe sexual practices among young people.
“When youths do not understand their rights, they are easily pushed into early marriages and risky behaviours. This campaign has empowered them with knowledge that will help them make better decisions,” he said.
Village head Mbeluko underscored the urgent need to address harmful cultural practices and encourage open dialogue within communities, noting that cultural and religious barriers continue to limit young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health services.
“Silence around these issues has denied many youths access to essential services. There is need for collective efforts to break these barriers,” he said.
During the campaign, Bvumbwe Health Centre personnel provided reproductive health services, including short-term contraceptives such as condoms and emergency pills.
The activity was conducted under the Amplifying Adolescents and Young People’s Voices on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) project funded by Hivos through the Regional SRHR Fund with support from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
