Thyolo Youth trained as peer educators on Sexual Reproductive Health

Health and happy youth are a catalyst to youth development. Young people need to enjoy a health status that enables them to lead economically and socially productive lives. Therefore information made available to youth is crucial to their development but still they remain vulnerable to many health risks such as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including HIV and AIDS, early pregnancies, drug and substance abuse, poor nutrition, other communicable and non-communicable diseases and psychological problems.

It is against this background that 15 youths in Thyolo district of TA Bvumbwe were trained as peer educators by Chipembere Community Development Organization (CCDO) with funding from HIVOS. Dalitso Chiwayula, Executive Director of CCDO, observed that a one day training of youth as peer educators in Sexual Reproduction is important because it empowers them to build self-esteem thereby, stimulating them to take up challenging roles in society and contributing to national development.

He also emphasized the role that the youth could play in particular as peer educators on Sexual Reproduction in the present as opposed to the future, noting that their involvement in initial stages of life would give them confidence. Chiwayula added that the organization provides comprehensive Sexual Reproductive Education to the youth to prepare them for safe motherhood. “We believe that when these young people are well-informed and are aware of the physical and psychological changes, they are able to make informed decisions about Sexual Reproductive Health.

Therefore, even in case of any sexual violence, they are able to read signals and protect themselves from such abuses, which are leading to STIs and unwanted pregnancies”, Chiwayula observed. One of the participants, Maggie Mulera, from Bvumbwe Youth Club described the training as important as it accorded her an opportunity to learn more on sexual and reproductive health. “ I will make sure that I impart the knowledge gained here to other young people from my area so that together we can make a difference in our areas, districts and the country as a whole”, assured Mulera.

In conclusion, today young people are able to bring about change in their communities, but many young people still do not have access to the most basic information about how to make informed decisions about their own health and to protect themselves from HIV. Many young people living with HIV do not know their HIV status, or do not have access to treatment youth friendly services. It is therefore, imperative that access to information on sexual reproductive health is crucial to youth development. Let all stakeholders, NGOs, donors and concerned parties to scale up their efforts on Information, Education and Communication.