UN agency calls youth to seek info on reproductive health and safe sex

Dr Majaliwa Marwa, UNFPA assistant to the resident representative made the call yesterday at the opening of the Young and Alive Summit 2023.

He said that in the interest and well-being of the nation, young people should ensure that they get information and friendly services on reproductive health and safe sex, including prevention of sexual violence and HIV infection.

He explained that the young population were the vital pillar for the national development, but also, the group plays a key role in producing the country’s future leaders, entrepreneurs, employers as well as the sportsperson, insisting that the group cannot be ignored.

Dr Marwa noted that, according to the 2022 population and housing census, Tanzania has 61 million people, whereby almost half of all Tanzanians are under 18 years old, also young people aged 15-35 are one third of the population.

"The latest report shows a grim revelation that teenage girls aged between and 19 are estimated to have 3.4 percent of HIV infection with three times the rate of infection for young men of the same age," he unveiled.

Sesilia Shirima Young and Alive Initiative, chief executive officer (CEO) said that the goal of the organization is to bring about positive changes in the health sector, especially reproductive health for groups of young adults and young people in general.

"The organization's vision is to see Tanzania with healthy young people who realize using their rights to reproductive health and safe sex can protect themselves from unexpected pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections including HIV and fight for gender equality," she said.

She said that since 2017 they have been working to promote reproductive health and safe sex among the young population across the country.

The event attracted 300 young people from mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar who are motivated and eager to strengthen the health of their communities from different parts of Tanzania.

Speaking at the event, the Project Officer, Maternal and Child Health Division from the Ministry of Health, Edith Senga said young people have been facing various challenges, as the Government has been cooperating with various stakeholders in providing education to face the challenges they face.