The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) country representative Nelida Rodrigues has appealed to adolescent girls in Karonga District to abstain from early sexual activities and instead concentrate on education.
She made the appeal on Thursday at Noil Evacuation Camp in Traditional Authority Kyungu in the district after donating dignity kits to displaced girls and women.
Said Rodrigues: “UNFPA is a sexual reproductive health rights service UN agency which is also supporting the fight against gender-based violence. However, we are overwhelmed with the number of girls and adolescent women displaced with floods.
“We are also shocked with high numbers of very young girls and adolescent women who are pregnant instead of being in school.”
kits to beneficiaries
Earlier, Rodrigues paid a courtesy call to the Karonga District Council and interacted with the District Peace and Unity Committee on a number of issues related to the Peace Building and Security project her organisation was funding through Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organisation.
Karonga acting district commissioner Frank Mkandawire said the UNFPA gesture demonstrated solidarity.
“During disasters such as floods, it is girls and women who are most affected. Therefore, these dignity kits will promote personal hygiene and empower women and girls at this camp,” he said.
Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organisation programmes manager Gomezgani Mhango commended UNFPA for the visit, saying the team appreciated what the project achieved
