Project to promote reproductive health
Plan International Malawi has launched a project to promote youth-friendly health services in Mzimba District.
Speaking during M’Mbelwa District Council executive committee meeting on Tuesday, Plan International Malawi Northern Region project manager Chakufwa Munthali said the project seeks to improve sexual and reproductive health services among the youth in the district.
He said: “Our study has shown that youths between 10 and 24 years are sexually active, a situation which leads to the rise in teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
“That is why we urge the youth to access youth-friendly health services.”
Munthali said little access to youth-friendly health services was also leading to school dropouts.
Mzimba district youth chairperson Moses Nkhana attributed the rise in teenage pregnancies to child-headed families.
“Many children stay alone in the district because their parents go to South Africa. As a result, a number of them sleep with men to earn a living,” he said.
Nkhana commended Plan International Malawi for empowering the youth to access youth-friendly health services to prevent teenage pregnancies.
With funding from Plan Germany National Office and Plan Germany Foundation, Plan International Malawi in collaboration with Tovwirane and Evangelical Association of Malawi is implementing the project in traditional authorities Chindi and Kampingo Sibande in the district.
