Youths demand contraceptives

The unavailability of contraceptives in health facilities in Dedza is posing a challenge to youth’s sexual and reproductive health in the district.

This was revealed last week when officials from East and Southern Africa United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) office and the regional director for cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Zimbabwe visited some projects implemented by the Malawi Girl Guides Association (Maga) with funding from UNFPA.

Golomoti Active Aids Support Organisation executive director Justin Chimangeni, said demand for contraceptives by the youth has risen, but they are let down when they cannot access the services from health centres.

Dedza district commissioner Francis Matewere acknowledged that sometimes health facilities run out of contraceptives, but said through partnerships with non-governmental organisations, the problem is resolved quickly.

UNFPA deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa Justine Coulson said: “It is important to ensure that sexual and reproductive health services are available to the youth all the time to combat teenage pregnancies and prevent sexually-transmitted infections”.

During the visit, the delegation inspected life skills lesson delivery and other activities in secondary schools in the district.