Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organization Calls on Parents to Discuss SRHR with Children

Karonga, Malawi - Pamoza Tingakwaniska Youth Organization has urged parents in Karonga District to talk openly with their children about sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) to help curb unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections and diseases among youths, writes Emmanuel Moyo.

Programs manager for the organization, Gomezgani Mhango, made the call during an outreach clinic at Tilora Primary School on Monday.

“We are calling upon all parents to speak up on issues of SRHR with their children in their families,” said Mhango.

“Most young people become pregnant at an early stage and in an unplanned way, so parents, being leaders at the family level, know their children better. Guide them to reduce cases of unplanned pregnancies.”

Lapken Liwago, the Karonga District Youth Officer, praised Pamoza Tingakwaniska for its outreach clinic, saying it has helped to address SRHR issues by bringing services closer to the community.

“These outreach clinics are improving issues of access to SRH services in the district where the organization is implementing its project because they bring services closer to communities, thereby shortening the distances that people travel,” he said.

The guest of honour, Harry Mhango, who represented Traditional Authority Wasambo at the event, echoed the sentiment and said the outreach clinics conducted by Pamoza Tingakwaniska have been essential in fighting unplanned pregnancies and empowering youths.

The outreach clinic offered services such as HIV testing, counseling, and different family planning methods. The event was also enriched with traditional dances, drama, poetry, and a football bonanza.

Pamoza Tingakwaniska is conducting the outreach clinics under its ‘Wanangwa Wane’ project with financial support from the Breuckmann Foundation and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.