Youths in traditional authorities (T/As) Makanjira and Khombedza in Salima have bemoaned lack of access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in the district.
They said this on Friday during an awareness meeting that National Association for People Living with HIV and Aids (Napham) organised under its Tsogolo Lathu Project.
One of the youth, Edwin Mwale from Tifelezina Youth Group from Gabriel Village in T/A Makanjira, said youths fail to access condoms and other SRH services from health facilities because of stigma.
He proposed that stakeholders should provide condoms through different village groups to enable young people access them easily.
“We have a big youth population in our area, but many young people do not use condoms because they cannot access them,” said Mwale.
Napham district coordinator Naomi Dzuwa said many people from the two areas have little access to condoms and other SRH services; hence, the need to support them to access the contraceptives.
She said: “The project targets to reach out to 1 500 youths aged between 15 and 24. It will also target 600 people living with HIV in eight community-based support groups.
“We are trying to address knowledge gap on HIV prevention, testing and treatment.”
Dzuwa said the project has strategies for monitoring and evaluation. She expressed optimism that they will reach the intended beneficiaries within planned timeframes.
Group village head Mpirikizo commended the project that Napham is implementing, saying it will encourage youths to access SRH services.
