NGOs promote reproductive health

Communities in Traditional Authority Njewa in Lilongwe have commended a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services project running in the area for promoting access to family planning services.

Following low access to SRH services in the area, Oxfam in Malawi, Family Planning Association of Malawi, Point of Progress and Centre for Alternatives for Victimised Women and Children launched Her Future Her Choice Project in 2019.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, one of the youth Isaac Kaludzu said before the project, many girls were dropping out of school due to unplanned pregnancies and early marriages.

He said the project raised awareness on how girls can access SRH services to prevent unplanned pregnancies and contracting sexually transmitted infections.

Kaludzu, who is also a community-based distribution agent in Chalira Village, said: “We encourage girls to access youth-friendly health services at Chitedze Health Centre or consult community-based distribution agents for assistance.”

Her Future Her Choice project manager Sekanawo Mwatibu said following intensive awareness campaign on SRH issues, many girls now can access the services from various health facilities.

“Point of Progress is working to create demand on SRH services. As a result, we have seen many young people demanding the services in the district,” he said.

Mwatibu said the youth are also able to fight gender-based violence such as child marriages.

Chitedze Health Centre facility in-charge Tamandani Tambala said in a separate interview that many youths freely request condoms from the facility.

She said: “We have seen a rise in the uptake of family planning methods among the youth. The provision of family planning methods and access to condoms has also led to a reduction in teenage pregnancies.”