Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, Zimpapers Reporter
THE National Family Planning Council (NFPC) has called for more open discussions on Sexual Reproductive Health matters to address some of the challenges facing communities.
In March this year, the Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) launched a three-year sexual reproductive health and rights programme to address health issues affecting the youth who are out of school in Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mangwe District in Matabeleland South Province and Bubi District in Matabeleland North Province.
The project called: “Amplifying the Youth Voice: Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health for Young People in Zimbabwe” is targeting the 18-35-year-old out-of-school youths.
On Friday the Community Working Group on Health held media awards ceremony in Bulawayo where NFPC marketing and communications officer, Mr Mission Gwafa, urged more open and public discussions on the subject.
“Sexual issues are taboo in our society, people don’t want to see, hear and talk anything related to sexual activity despite the fact that sex is being done,” he said.
“That is why people are dying in numbers and it is hard to get behaviour change. It is high time we talk about this because if we want to achieve optimum sexual reproductive health and its associated rights we need to talk about it.”
Mr Gwafa said there are a number of negatives associated with the silent stance including Gender Based Violence and some, like men suffering in silence on matters like sexual dysfunction.
He said lack of information on sexual health can expose people to diseases and other challenges.
“The reason we have sexual rights is because of the challenges associated with sex matters. The media plays an important role in educating people to make choices on Sexual Rights issues,” said Mr Gwafa.
“Matters like male circumcision, HIV services, family planning services and treatment of Sexual Transmitted Infections, among others and access to information are critical.
“There is also stigma associated with sexual activity, especially by the adolescent. In some social circles, premarital sex is frowned when done by girls but commended when done by boys, which shows a serious gap in knowledge. We need to correct this because we expose them to dangers like getting STIs and HIV,” said Mr Gwafa.
He reiterated the need to also address maternal mortality and morbidity in young girls in order to serve lives. Adolescent pregnancy and child marriages also remain a threat despite the laws outlawing child marriages.
“We still have a lot to do as a nation and programmers to assist young girls. Sexual gender- based violence is also another critical issue with one in every three women having experienced physical violence around the age of 15. This is the group that is most affected by new HIV infections as well,” he said.
Mr Gwafa said young people living with disability and sex workers are also being left out in Sexual Health services.
He said there was a need to address the unmet need for family planning and address the drug and substance abuse disorders.
“We call upon journalists to play a role in providing information to society. Sexual reproductive health affects all facets of life be it politically, socially, economically, culturally and religiously,” he said.
Zimpapers Intake Editor, Dr Limukani Ncube, who also attended the event said the media plays an important role in addressing sexual reproductive matters.
“Sexual reproductive health is at the heart of sustainable development, it is intertwined with education, gender equality, youth empowerment and economic activity,” he said. “Yet despite policy progress, myths, taboos and mis-information continue to hinder open dialogue and information decision making.
This is where the journalist becomes a bridge, translating medical jargon into human stories, transforming statistics into calls for action and holding duty bearers accountable,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion, Chief Dakamela of Nkayi District in Matabeleland North Province said there is an urgent need to empower adolescents and avert activities that may harm them.
“Many of the youths we are talking about are in rural areas, when we talk of teenage pregnancies they are more pronounced there. What is more important is to provide empowerment to them because poverty plays a big role in such matters in rural areas. Young girls are then exposed to transactional sex due to poverty,” he said.
“Let’s empower them with projects to do in life so that they are not idle at home. This empowerment must be for both boys and girls. Some have dropped out of school and if they do not have something to do they will end up indulging in sexual activities.”
CWGH board member, Mr Nobert Dube, called for continued advocacy by the media on sexual reproductive health matters for the benefit of the community. — @themkhust
