The Ministry of Health in Kanchibiya has challenged young people in the district to equip themselves with accurate information and life skills to enable them combat the dual epidemics of child marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Kanchibiya District Director of Health Aaron Ngwevu says when adolescents are empowered with the right knowledge and access to quality healthcare, they become powerful champions of prevention and positive behavioral change within their families, schools, and the wider community.
Speaking during the first-ever Kanchibiya Adolescents Indaba held at Chalabesa
Mission Rural Health Centre today, Dr Ngwevu emphasized the critical role peer education plays in strengthening the district’s health system.
The Indaba was held under the theme: “Ascertaining the Role of Young People in Enhancing Prevention, Ending Epidemics, and Advancing Equitable Health Systems for All.”
“Our young people understand the unique realities and challenges experienced by their generation. They are the most effective communicators among their peers and can promote healthy behaviors that encourage others to access health services promptly,” Dr Ngwevu said.
He further appealed to traditional leaders and other stakeholders to join hands in reducing cases of early marriages, which continue to hinder the progress of many young girls in the district.
Contributing to the discussion, Charles Mibenge noted that the government has
already implemented several robust programs to support the girl-child, including the Child Protection Policy, the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), and the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) project.
Mr. Mibenge, however, made a special appeal to the government to also introduce targeted programs for the boy-child within the education sector to ensure a balanced approach to youth development.
Meanwhile, Alice Mwamba, a Grade 12 pupil at Chalabesa Day Secondary School,
called on adolescents to practice abstinence and take full advantage
Of the government’s free education policy.
Ms Mwamba lamented that many young lives are being derailed by unprotected sex, leading to unwanted pregnancies and a cycle of poverty.
“It is very disappointing to see adolescents indulging in practices that lead to
child marriages. With free education, our focus must be on our books to
alleviate poverty in Kanchibiya. We need to put an end to these vices,” she
said.
She further appealed to the government to consider constructing more boarding
schools in the district to cushion challenges that pupils face of walking long distances to attend classes.
“The construction of boarding facilities will ensure that many youths do not
have to worry about the risks associated with walking long distances to school
and back,” Ms. Mwamba added.
The Indaba brought together pupils, health workers, and various community
Leaders deliberate on sustainable solutions to the health and social challenges facing the youth in Kanchibiya.
