adminYOUNG people in Zimbabwe are facing a plethora of unprecedented challenges related to their Sexual and Reproductive Health.
These include Sexually Transmitted Infections, substance abuse, rape, early marriages, teenage pregnancies and low access to health education and SRH Services.
It is against this background that the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council was mandated through an Act of Parliament with the assistance of other partners to address ASRH challenges facing youths. This also dovetails well into the country’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset and the 10-Point Plan.
In Manicaland Province, ZNFPC runs a total of five youth centres in three districts of which two namely Ngorima and Nyanyadzi are the national best. ZNFPC also runs several youth corners in mostly all districts, tailored to improve SRH status of young people in the 10 – 24 years age group. The five youth centres are Chiendambuya, Mutare, Ngorima, Nyanyadzi and Nyazura. These centres are manned by trained nurses with the title of youth health advisors and social scientists who are called youth facilitators. The five youth centres cover 31 wards out of the 239 wards of Manicaland Province. The other approach being used in ASRH implementation with the help of ZNFPC stakeholders includes youth corners concept that provide youth-friendly services through existing health institutions such as hospitals and clinics.
Manicaland has youth corners that are in all districts of the province that offer youth friendly ASRH services and products to youths. Of late, is the Parent To Child Communication process that sees the engagement of the parents in ASRH so that they know what is expected of the youths in their societies in ASRH.
Central to the ASRH concept are its major components, which include clinical services and training of youth friendly service providers, provision of youth friendly services, counselling, diagnosis and treatment of ASRH problems, contraceptives, referrals, recreation, in and out door games, library services and discussion groups. All these services are offered free of charge to the youths.
Also, survival skills training that encompasses linking up with vocational training centres for income generating activities and life skills comprising of managing relationships, self-esteem, decision making, assertiveness and self-control.
Pertinent objectives of the ASRH programme beneficial to young people in Zimbabwe include promoting adoption of safer SRH practices in the face of the HIV and Aids pandemic, increasing availability, access and utilisation of youth friendly SRH services and creating a safe and supportive environment for addressing SRH issues.
The ARSH programme in the province has also scored many successes as evidenced by increased pass rates due to use of youth centre library facilities, formation and operation of sporting and discipline clubs, peer educator initiated income generating projects, youth support groups, youth centre committees, ASRH evaluation quiz shows, video recordings and renovations by communities through youth centre committees.
For further information, do not hesitate to contact the Provincial Marketing & Communications Officer-Mr D. Maromo on 020 62981/62923/0773 551 868, or the Provincial Manager – Mr D. Masvingise on 020 62439/0773 440 960 or visit us at Number 257-9, 5th Street, Mutare
Online Reporter