The Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ) has intensified campaigns against early pregnancies and marriages among young people in the country.
PPAZ Programmes Manager Henry Kaimba said the association has noted with sadness, the increasing number of young women falling prey to early pregnancies. He said it was for this reason that his association decided to intensify information dissemination on the dangers of un
planned parenthood among youths in the country.
He noted that according to the recent national demographic survey, teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 years were the most susceptible to early parenthood because they are perceived to be very sexually active.
Mr. Kaimba said in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today that unplanned parenthood has many negative social and psychological effects on youths since they are forced to assume responsibility of their unplanned for children.
He explained that to this effect, all the 38 PPAZ branches across the country have already started sensitizing youths on the issue of unplanned parenthood both in rural and urban areas. He said the association also has outreach programmes in schools aimed at helping to address the matter.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kaimba has called on youths to stay away from illicit activities that will deter them from attaining their goals in life.
He said youths must always involve themselves in progressive activities which will not only be beneficial to them but also the nation at large.
ZANIS
