Hivos launches 2nd adolescent, youth sexual reproductive health right initiative

Hivos Southern Africa has launched the second phase of the Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Inclusive Access Initiative.

The Adolescent and Youth SRHR Inclusive Initiative will aim at strengthening, empowering and promote sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in Zambia, according to Hivos Southern Africa Regional Director, Nana Zulu.

Zulu said this in Lusaka on Friday during the launch of the Initiative and pledged the organizations commitment to complimenting government’s efforts in dealing with issues of SRHR and HIV/AIDS.

He said the initiative will allow the organization to build local ownership by strengthening the capacity of youth led organizations through organizational development and strategic grant making to enable them undertake SRHR initiatives.

“This Phase of the programme allows us to continue our aspirations and commitment to advance access to SRHR information and Services for adolescents and youth in East and Southern Africa and contribute to improving their SRHR outcomes,” Zulu said.

He said Hivos recognize that adolescent and youth are disproportionately impacted by these factors resulting in poor health seeking behaviour and resultantly poor health outcomes.

Ministry of Health Acting Director Public Health and Research, Maltida Simpungwe, said young people in the county still remain vulnerable to contracting STIs, HIV unintended and unplanned pregnancies and in worst scenarios child marriage.

“At the core of all these challenges lie limited access to information and quality services to age appropriate SRHR services to permeate the adolescents and young people make own informed SRHR decisions,” Simpungwe said.

She said it was for this reason that government had been working with key stakeholders at local and international levels in addressing the gaps in social inequities, gender gaps in a quest to stimulate uptake of SRHR among adolescents and young people.

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