Ntcheu youths, parents engaged on family planning

Ntcheu Youth Action Movement (YAM), a grouping under Family Planning Association of Malawi (Fpam), has urged parents to allow their children access to contraceptives (or family planning methods).

Speaking during a sensitisation meeting at Dzoole Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kwataine on Monday, YAM chairperson Wahabi Mkumbira said it is worrisome that cases of teenage pregnancies and child marriages are high in the district.

He said they decided to engage the youth and parents from the area to sensitise them to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as well as contraceptives.

“We are sensitising parents to allow the youth access to contraceptives so that we reduce cases of teenage pregnancies as well as child marriages in the district,” Mkumbira said.

One of the youth who attended the sensitisation meeting, Josaya Ngaiyaye, commended YAM for the initiative.

He said it is high time the youth took a leading role in dealing with child marriages.

Village head Dzoole said time had come for the youth to effectively contribute to the development of the country.

YAM also donated some assorted items to 20 vulnerable households and condoms to the youth.