Youth Access to Birth Control Lags Despite Gains, FPAM Says
The ministry plans to work with FPAM and other partners to improve youth outreach and education about contraceptive options.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Despite improving contraceptive access for married women, Malawi struggles to reach young people with family planning services, officials reported at a national conference, writes Ireen Kayira.
The Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) aims to increase contraceptive use among all women to 60% by 2030, but cultural barriers and clinic locations keep many youth from seeking services, according to Executive Director Donald Makwakwa.
"Young people are not accessing the services as they should," Makwakwa said at FPAM's annual delegates conference on Saturday.
"The sites where services are provided make young people hesitant to be seen using contraceptives."
Ministry of Health officials confirmed that while contraceptive use among married women exceeds 60%, the rate for all women of reproductive age remains around 40%.
Teen pregnancy rates have reached 29%, raising concerns among health officials.
"We have not reached the adolescents very well," said Doreen Ali, director of reproductive health at the Ministry of Health. "In most facilities, it is the young girls that have babies."
Ali cited widespread misconceptions about family planning as a key obstacle.
The ministry plans to work with FPAM and other partners to improve youth outreach and education about contraceptive options.
The conference, themed "Move Sexuality Agenda: Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for All," focused on strategies to overcome barriers to youth access.