adminTanaka Mahanya
MORE attention must be given to health and wellbeing in tertiary institutions, SAYWHAT Zimbabwe deputy director, Vimbai Mlambo, has said.
SayWhat is a membership-based public health social movement organisation with on a mission of fostering the development of a youthful, empowered, healthy generation of young people in Africa.
Mlambo noted that young people in Africa faced constant difficulties, particularly around mental health and drug abuse.
She urged institutions to create more supportive environments, rather than prioritising academics over other issues such as harassment, gender-based violence, and comprehensive reproductive health services. Mlambo also highlighted the importance of addressing inequality and supporting women and girls who are often most vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Speaking during World Population Day commemorations, Mlambo said the plight of young people required constant attention.
“More attention is required in institutions of higher learning to create a conducive environment for students.
“Most of our tertiary institutions mainly prioritise academics, and other conversations are secondary.
“There is an outcry on the need to prioritise responses to health, as the clinics themselves need to be functioning. Policies around harassment and gender-based violence need to be there and activated,” Mlambo said.
She said there is a need for more investments in the health of young people.
“That is why we are seeing an increase in mental health issues and drug abuse in these institutions.
“The global population is now officially past the 8 billion mark and this milestone coincides with the presence of the largest generation of young people.
“As the global population continues to expand, young people continuously face an unprecedented array of challenges of their health and wellbeing, with these challenges being further worsened by the triple threat of conflict, climate change and Covid-19.”
She said, in response to these pressing issues, a powerful global movement, demanding greater attention to policy and finance aimed at improving the health of young people is critical.
“It has become more crucial now to make sure that there are comprehensive reproductive health services, expansion of youth friendly services, and the addressing of family planning.
“Inequality forces the seclusion of women and girls in dealing with issues that are affecting them and further expose women and girls to unprecedented threats of all forms of abuse and exploitation,” she said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter