UNFPA which has been collaborating with Banja La Mtsogolo (BLM) since 1997 in the issues of youth Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and HIV/AIDS, has scaled up the funds as well as activities that will go towards the youth. Funding for the project has been sourced from the European Union so that Banja La Mtsogolo in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture can reach out to the youth with SRH information as well as services. The project is worth 2.5 million Euros and will run for three years, beginning January 2006.

BLM National Youth Coordinator, Brandina Kambala, said that the youth project which is targeting the hard-to-reach young people aged between 10-24 in 7 districts of Malawi is expected to address an array of social and SRH problems that include early, unintended pregnancies, STIs and HIV/AIDS, disrupted education and reduced employment opportunities amongst others.  

The youth project urges the local leaders and parents to create a supportive environment for young people in SRH issues. Most of the youth in the remote areas of Malawi are not knowledgeable about SRH issues and this problem is escalated by distance, lack of funds and transport to centers offering SRH services.

A peer-based approach is employed to equip the youth with SRH information through the Youth Community-Based Distribution Agents (YCBDAs). These are selected youth who are trained by BLM in SRH issues and they counsel fellow youths in such matters. Sexually active youth are provided condoms and pills. Engaging YCBDAs from the communities where they are based has proved to be effective in generating healthier behaviour among the young people. This has also led to increased referrals for clinic-based SRH services that are provided to them free of charge under the Subsidized Treatment Fund.  

The youth will establish youth clubs that will carry out various activities aimed at addressing issues affecting them such as teen pregnancies, early marriages, and HIV/AIDS. BLM will visit the clubs and drill them on SRH matters among other things.

By Felistas Sibweza