DODOMA: PERMANENT Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament and Coordination), Dr Jim Yonazi has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing challenges facing adolescents by creating a safe and supportive environment that empowers young people to reach their goals and full potential.
Dr Yonazi made the remarks during the opening of the stakeholders’ meeting on Adolescent Interventions (NAIA) recently in Dodoma where he represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups.
He said that the National Agenda for Investment in Adolescent Health and Development, launched on April 17, 2021 aims to accelerate the implementation of priority areas related to adolescent health and development in 13 regions with below-average indicators in the areas.
“The implementation of this agenda focuses on six main pillars which are preventing HIV infections, ending teenage pregnancies, eradicating physical, sexual and psychological violence, improving nutrition, ensuring that boys and girls remain in school to complete their education and advancing youth skills and technical expertise to foster self-employment and employability,” said Dr Yonazi.
He urged all stakeholders involved in adolescent issues to recognise that building a strong nation today and for the future requires investing in solving adolescents’ challenges.
‘The theme of this meeting, ‘Addressing Adolescent Challenges for a Strong Nation,’ energises the agenda’s comprehensive implementation, as it is the only agenda capable of tackling youths’ challenges today.
I hope that through this meeting, you will have an opportunity to discuss in depth the challenges facing adolescents, drawing from three years of experience implementing this agenda,” said Dr Yonazi.
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On his part, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Mr Amon Mpanju, acknowledged the efforts of international organisations and non-government organisations that have launched various projects to ensure adolescents receive youth-friendly health services, reproductive health education and the skills and knowledge necessary for managing their lives.
‘These achievements are the result of significant efforts by our development partners, working in partnership with the sixth phase government, led by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, who formed this ministry.
I sincerely thank you for the cooperation you have shown in achieving the goals of this agenda,” said Mr Mpanju. Furthermore, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Dr Wilson Mahela reminded young people to take care of themselves by respecting Tanzanian values and culture and avoiding imitating everything they see on social media.
On behalf of stakeholders, UNICEF representative Mr Edgar Lungu acknowledged the government for enabling stakeholders to implement their initiatives, pledging to continue providing strong support to achieve the government’s goal of building a strong nation with empowered youth.
