The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has rolled out a $1.063 million (K1.9 billion) programme aimed at strengthening gender transformative comprehensive sexuality education.
A statement made available to Nation on Sunday said the two-year programme, targeting both in-school and out-of-school youths in districts of Chikwawa, Mchinji and Nkhata Bay, which is funded by the Canadian Government and Malawi, is among 10 countries piloting the model.
It is expected that the programme will reach youths between the ages of 10 and 24, with special focus on those out-of-school, living with or affected by HIV and youths with disabilities.
Secretary for Youth and Sports Isaac Katopola is quoted in the statement as having said the programme is timely in tackling growing challenges facing youths and further urged relevant ministries to match health education with economic empowerment to ensure youths are fully equipped.
The programme links classroom and community comprehensive sexuality education, reproductive health services, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, and efforts to shift harmful norms.
Reads the statement: “It [the programme] is being coordinated by Ministries of Youth, Gender, Health and Education.”
Ministry of Gender Principal Secretary Nertha Semphere-Mgala is quoted in the statement as having said the gender-transformative approach creates safe environments for girls by tackling harmful cultural practices head-on.
UNFPA officer-in-charge Tamisayi Chinhengo is also quoted in the statement as having said the programme is a transformative investment.
“It will equip adolescents, especially girls, with knowledge and confidence to avoid early pregnancies, prevent HIV and claim their rights-promoting bodily autonomy, equality and a life free from violence,” she said.
According to statistics, teenage pregnancies have risen from 25 percent in 2015 to 32.5 percent in 2025, signifying the urgent need for the situation to be addressed.
The statistics show that 7.5 percent of girls marry before the age of 15 and about 38 percent before the age of 18.
“Violence is widespread, with 42 percent of girls experiencing physical violence and 22 percent suffering sexual abuse before 18. UNFPA says bridging the gap between comprehensive sexual education and youth friendly services will help reverse these trends while empowering young people to make informed life choices,” further reads the statement.
