Mzimba Youth Demand Better Health Services, Civic Education
The meeting highlighted the urgent need for improved health services and education to safeguard the future of Mzimba's youth.
MZIMBA, Malawi— Youth in Mzimba district are calling on stakeholders to take a more active role in providing reproductive health services and civic education to young people, writes Victoria Yande.
The appeal comes amid concerns over rising cases of early marriages, pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the youth in the district.
Moses Nkhana, executive director of Mzimba Youth Organization, made these remarks Monday during an interface meeting between youth and duty bearers.
UNICEF supported the event through the National Youth Council of Malawi.
Nkhana emphasized the responsibility of duty bearers to address challenges facing adolescents, including access to bursaries, unauthorized beer selling points, and teacher-pupil relationships affecting girls' performance.
"Our organization will follow up with all duty bearers on the issues presented at this meeting," Nkhana said.
Glory Chilinga, a youth participant, urged duty bearers to find concrete solutions to these challenges.
"Many girls have contracted STIs, experienced early pregnancies, or been forced into relationships with teachers due to lack of knowledge and access to reproductive health services," Chilinga said.
Tausly Kondowe, deputy youth-friendly health services coordinator for Mzimba District Hospital, reported that girls in the district are contracting STIs at a higher rate than boys.
"Last month, we recorded 59 STI cases for girls and 27 for boys in Mzimba Boma," Kondowe said.
He attributed the higher numbers among girls to limited access to reproductive health services, including post-exposure prophylaxis, contraceptives, and antiretroviral therapy.
The meeting highlighted the urgent need for improved health services and education to safeguard the future of Mzimba's youth.