Youth sexual, reproductive health still worrying -CHRAGG
DODOMA: YOUNG people’s sexual and reproductive health re- mains in a worrying state despite notable progress, with stigma, inadequate sexuality education and poor access to menstrual health products cited as major setbacks.
This was revealed yesterday in Dodoma by the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) Chairman, Judge (Rtd) Mathew Mwaimu at the opening of a two-day Follow Up National Multistake holder Meeting on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) .
The meeting has been organised by the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) in collaboration with CHRAGG, the Ministry of Health, the Eastern Africa National Networks of AIDS and Health Service Organisations (EANNASO) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT).
Judge Mwaimu said teenage pregnancies continue to pose serious health, education, socio-economic and development consequences, with both immediate and long-term effects on teenage parents, their children and the community.
“We look forward to continuing collaboration with the government and other strategic partners through CHRAGG, CSOs, the media, faith-based communities and youth themselves to fulfil the country’s development aspirations by putting young people at the centre, enabling them to reach their full potential and ensuring that no one is left behind,” he said.
He further noted that the funding landscape for ASRHR advocacy has under gone major shifts over the past decade, worsening under the Trump administration due to the Mexico City Policy.
“I see this as an opportunity to work together in holding the state accountable for regional commitments made, such as the Maputo Protocol and Abuja Declaration and to advocate for their full implementation,” he stressed.
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Judge Mwaimu also highlighted the forthcoming International Day of the Girl Child, to be marked in October under the theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Front line of Crisis.”
He underscored the importance of listening to girls’ voices and recognising their limitless potential.
For her part, the Ministry of Health’s Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Coordinator, Jesca Masanja, said about 65 per cent of Tanzania’s population is under the age of 25, underscoring the urgent need for early interventions to safeguard the nation’s future.
“If young people do not get the right information on reproductive health, they are likely to fall into early pregnancies. Interventions must be made to ensure we have youth who are free from HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), so that they can achieve their dreams,” she stressed.
On his part, NANHRI representatives,Robert Athewa said the workshop will address challenges facing young people, including early pregnancies and school dropouts, while equipping participants with tools to advocate for ASRHR in their communities.
They appealed to the government to continue working inclusively with stakeholders to champion the rights of adolescents, particularly girls, in line with the global call to leave no one behind.
The two-day workshop has brought together 30 participants from NANHRI, CHRAGG, the Ministry of Health, state agencies, interfaith leaders, rights holders, the pharmaceutical sec- tor and the media.
