TANZANIA: TO ensure adolescent people have access to comprehensive reproductive health services will not only be a moral imperative, but also a smart investment in their future life.
Reinforcing this, the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) in its SHARP project in cooperation with the Tanzania Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG), has convened a two-day stakeholder meeting on adolescent reproductive health.
This is with the understanding that inclusion of youth in such courses is paramount in addressing adolescent reproductive health challenges they tend to face. Here, by actively involving young people in decision-making processes, ensuring their voices are heard, and providing them with access to comprehensive education and services, we meet their diverse needs in their adolescence lifestyles.
Through inclusive approaches, we aim to empower the youth to make informed choices, advocate for their rights, and contribute to creating healthier communities and societies. In particular addressing the assembly, the Chairperson of CHRAGG, retired Judge Mathew Mwaimu, emphasised the necessity of education for the youth and characterising it as a global crisis demanding urgent attention.
“Sexual reproductive health among adolescents has garnered global attention and has become an issue of human rights in its own right, especially with the increasing reports indicating the vulnerability of the youth is a concern,” pointed out retired Judge Mwaimu.
Elaborating, he underscored that the adolescents face numerous challenges, which compromise their sexual reproductive health and rights; with many unaware of these encounters altogether.
“Factors such as the absence of comprehensive sexuality education, limited access to confidential healthcare services, and exposure to harmful cultural practices like child marriages result in early pregnancies and heighten the risks of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases,” he added.
The meeting organised by NANHRI and CHRAGG brought together stakeholders from ministries, civil society organisations (CSOs), and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to discuss potential measures, will ensure that all segments of our societies prioritise adolescent reproductive health.
Representing the Executive Director of NANHRI, Mr Robert Athewa stressed that the age-appropriate education is an integral component of states’ core obligations to uphold the right to reproductive health.
“Around the world, adolescents experience violations of their sexual reproductive health and rights, including inadequate access to comprehensive sexuality education, limited access to confidential health services, instances of sexual violence, and exposure Empowering youth: A call to action for adolescent reproductive health to harmful cultural practices,” said Mr Athewa.
On his part, Gerald Kihwele, the National Coordinator for Gender and Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Health, emphasised the ministry’s commitment to prioritising the needs of youth by implementing tailored programs to provide them with accurate guidance and information.
“We have established a programme that provides guidelines for peer-led sexual education, wherein the youth themselves are actively involved. By empowering them with knowledge, they become agents of change within their communities,” stated Mr Kihwele.
Furthermore, Mr Kihwele highlighted the ministry’s efforts in training healthcare providers to address the specific concerns of adolescent sexual health and ensuring that young individuals feel comfortable seeking guidance and clarification on their queries.
In her capacity as a youth representative, Ms Letisia Samson urged the government and other stakeholders to intensify efforts in educating youth about sexual health to mitigate the risks of unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
“We, as the youth are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of education regarding adolescent reproductive health, which often leads to detrimental consequences such as unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and risky behaviours. The government’s investment in our education is crucial for us to make informed decisions and realise our aspirations as we mature,” pointed out Ms Samson.
Likewise, religious representatives at the meeting echoed the importance of beginning sexual health education within families, emphasising that parents should be actively involved in guiding their children through the changes and challenges of adolescence.
By addressing issues such as sexual education, contraception, sexually transmitted infections prevention, and access to healthcare, we can empower adolescents to make informed choices about their bodies and relationships.
Investing in adolescent reproductive health not only promotes individual health and rights, but also contributes to healthier families, communities, and societies overall.
We must prioritise adolescent reproductive health to support the holistic development and flourishing of young people worldwide.