Empowering AGYWs in Mulanje District to Demand SRHR Services
The AGYW project continues to make a meaningful impact in Mulanje district, arming AGYWs with knowledge and resources to protect their SRHR and build a healthier future.
Mulanje, Malawi-Access to information on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is recognised as a cornerstone for development and a fundamental building block for a healthy nation, writes Howard Mlozi.
In Mulanje district, this knowledge is fostering proactive measures among adolescent girls and young women (AGYWs) to demand SRHR services, combat Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV, and reduce unwanted pregnancies.
Fatsileni Saikonde, hailing from Ndanga area, is a dedicated peer educator spearheading the promotion of SRHR education in the fight against HIV and Aids among AGYWs.
She is a notable figure in the AGYW project, a collaborative effort between the Girls Empowerment Network (Genet-Malawi), World Vision, and the Global Fund.
Fatsileni passionately shares, "The most significant aspect of the AGYW project is the empowerment it has bestowed upon me to champion SRHR. Since becoming a peer educator in my community, I've handled approximately 365 cases related to SRHR, even assisting over 20 adolescent girls in returning to school. I take pride in this because I'm contributing to the development of mental strength and skills in adolescent girls and young women, helping them overcome challenges like the fear and stress associated with HIV, unwanted pregnancies, and forced marriages, among other issues."
Moreover, Fatsileni attests to being a direct beneficiary of the AGYW project. "Importantly, the AGYW project has deepened my understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention and sexual violence concepts.
This knowledge has allowed me, as a peer educator, to lead by example and practise behaviours that prevent risky and unhealthy situations, such as unprotected sex."
She candidly shares her personal journey, "I was initially apprehensive about undergoing an HIV test. Still, with the right information on HIV/AIDS, I mustered the courage to get tested and counselled. Today, I lead a better life because I know my status."
Harmful cultural practices, peer pressure, and poverty are contributing factors that expose AGYWs to unsafe sexual activities, increasing their vulnerability to HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
To address these challenges, Genet introduced the gender-transformative AGYW project, aiming to tackle SRHR issues among AGYWs, particularly in the fight against HIV and unwanted pregnancies.
As part of their approach, Genet trained peer educators in rural areas to disseminate accurate information on sexual reproductive health services.
Naomi Nkhonjera, Genet-Malawi's project officer, elaborates, "The peer educators under the AGYW project actively engage adolescent girls and young women, imparting skills, values, attitudes, and health-seeking behaviours that enable them to access services such as Voluntary HIV Testing and Counseling, Modern Family Planning Methods, and Child Protection."
The AGYW project employs a gender-transformative HIV programming approach, addressing not only the gender-specific aspects of HIV but also the deeply ingrained cultural practices that contribute to its spread among AGYWs. Nkhonjera explains, "We raise awareness about the harmful aspects of gender norms, behaviours, and power dynamics that impact AGYWs."
A team of peer educators operating in Group Village Heads (GVHs) Chanje, Sabuni, and Ng'ong'ola in TA Mkanda has made remarkable progress by mobilising over 10,360 girls and young people through awareness campaigns.
They have referred approximately 1,963 individuals to health centres for various forms of assistance. Notably, the project has contributed to the dissolution of over 52 child marriages with the cooperation of service providers, including child protection agencies and community leaders.
Veronica Master, a 15-year-old from Magileta village, is among the child brides who have been rescued from early marriages.
She reveals, "Peer pressure led me to drop out of school and enter an early marriage. However, when peer educators visited me, I found the motivation to leave the marriage. I also received support to seek medical screening to ensure that I am free from pregnancy and STIs. Now, I am thrilled to be back in school."
However, Veronica points out a limitation to the project, citing the unavailability of sexual reproductive services in hard-to-reach areas.
She emphasises the pressing need for sexual reproductive health services in her community and the importance of intensifying mobile clinics in remote areas.
The AGYW project continues to make a meaningful impact in Mulanje district, arming AGYWs with knowledge and resources to protect their SRHR and build a healthier future.