COFO Vows to Raise SRHR Awareness Among Chikwawa Youth

Chikwawa, Malawi - Chikwawa Community Forum Organization (COFO), one of the fastest growing organizations in the district, is committed to raising awareness about Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights (SRHR) among young people, writes Comfort Bulangete.

Through a youth-led approach, COFO aims to reduce adolescent vulnerability, early marriages, and the spread of HIV by conveying and disseminating SRHR policies to young people in the district.

Naison Sekani, District Safe Motherhood Coordinator for Chikwawa, highlighted the challenges faced by young people, especially girls, in making informed choices about their sexual health.

"The inability to negotiate safe sex, access health-related information and services, protect themselves from gender-based violence, and avoid transactional and intergenerational sex continues to fuel the spread of HIV and intensify its impact on young people in Chikwawa," said Sekani.

Sekani further pointed out that gender imbalances, stigma, and socio-cultural norms are underlying factors contributing to the gaps in addressing youth SRHR.

He commended COFO for bridging the gap by involving youth clubs and working towards increasing the availability of youth-friendly health services in localities.

Chriss Patrick Baluwa, District Youth Friendly Coordinator, emphasized the importance of access to SRHR in reducing child marriages, teenage pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections.

He urged other non-governmental organizations in Chikwawa to emulate COFO's example.

Rachel Ngalande, a field officer for COFO, emphasized the essential role of youth-friendly SRHR in the health of young people.

"COFO is using a youth-led approach by involving youth clubs to spread SRHR messages among their peers and families. This approach is helping to educate youths about family planning methods, including condom usage, to prevent early marriages and pregnancies and help them achieve their dreams," Ngalande stated.

Group Village Head Mbendelana, who has witnessed the impact of COFO's youth-led initiative, noted that young people in his village are now more knowledgeable about SRHR issues and are continuing their education.

He cited an example of a girl from his village who is studying nursing at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, attributing it to COFO's efforts.

Joshua Malunga, Chief Executive Officer for COFO, acknowledged that many youths in Malawi have misconceptions about SRHR issues due to a lack of information or deliberate misinformation. He reiterated COFO's commitment to a youth-led approach by involving youth clubs in SRHR sensitization under the "In Real Life" project.

Malunga also highlighted COFO's efforts to reach out to youth affected by Cyclone Freddy, who are residing in camps and lacking basic needs.

"We are providing them with sessions on SRHR topics to raise awareness, despite their challenging circumstances," Malunga said.

COFO is currently working with various youth clubs, including Mwalija Youth Club, Mbande Girls Club, Police Youth Club, DHO Youth Club, and Chimwemwe Youth Club.

These clubs play a vital role in environmental conservation, such as tree planting, and COFO is using these platforms to promote SRHR and youth-friendly health services as a means of reducing unplanned pregnancies, HIV, and AIDS among young people, enabling them to continue their education and achieve their dreams.

Over the years, youth-led initiatives have emerged as a response to youth-related sexual and reproductive health and HIV issues, with COFO leading the way in Chikwawa district.