Nyale Institute and Young Voices have encouraged young people in Nsanje District to demand sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
On Tuesday, the two organisations engaged area development committees, area disaster risk management committees and youths from Traditional Authority Malemia in the district on the importance of making SRH services available to youths.
In an interview, Nyale Institute programmes manager Phyllomina Zidana said they wanted the youth to discuss SRH issues and demand the same from services providers.
She said: “Our youths should discuss sexual and reproductive health issues as they do with other development matters. Youths should know where they can access contraceptives such as condoms and others.
“Our duty-bearers such as traditional and religious leaders should help young people access SRH services.”
Young Voices executive director Kenneth Mtago said he was pleased that people are lobbying members of Parliament (MPs) to table the Termination of Pregnancy Bill.
He said the only way to make MPs pass the Bill is to engage duty-bearers and people from the grass roots to advocate for the same.
Malemia Area Development Committee chairperson Matthias Chilumba said some traditional leaders allegedly force their children to marry earlier.
Nsanje District Council post abortion care coordinator Edna Samata asked parents to openly discuss SHR issues with their children.
The two organisations are implementing an SRH project in the district from June 2024 to May this year with funding from Amplify Change
