BLM Malawi: Delivering comprehensive sexuality education in schools
Malawi has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in sub-Saharan Africa, currently at 29%. BLM are striving to reduce unwanted teenage pregnancy rates by delivering health talks that inform adolescents on contraception, STI prevention and treatment, and cervical cancer screening.
One of the sessions was held with students from Ntchisi Kayoyo Primary School and Kayoyo Secondary School, reaching young people aged 10 to 24 (pictured above).
Teachers and students responded well to these interactive sessions, asking lots of questions and dispelling common myths on sexual and reproductive health.
The Head Teacher of Kayoyo Secondary School, Jonathan Kaboni, commended BLM for the initiative, stressing that there is a need to bridge the reproductive health information gap in his community, as many of his students have dropped out due to pregnancy.
“The awareness has come at the right time when we are still dealing with early pregnancy and a lot of SRH issues which lead to school dropouts. I wish this campaign goes into the remotest areas, because most learners here are coming from faraway places, walking distances of over 20 kilometers a day.”
BLM’s initiative is being supported by Global Affairs Canada under the project Innovations for Health Rights and Development (iHeard), which aims to reduce barriers to sexual and reproductive health for the most vulnerable adolescents and young people.
Such initiatives ensure girls are equipped with knowledge and access to services, so they can make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.
