All young people will eventually have to make decisions regarding their Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). However, evidence indicates that majority of teenagers lack the knowledge necessary to make such decisions responsibly, making them susceptible to coercion, STDs, and unexpected pregnancy.
As a result, with support from UNFPA, the National Youth Council organised a training on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) for service providers. Funded through the UN Peacebuilding Project on Young Women and Men as Stakeholders in Ensuring Peaceful Democratic Processes and as Advocates in the Prevention of Violence and Hate Speech, the training focused on ethical and appropriate skills for providing SRH services to young people in communities.
According to Yankuba Darboe, one of the participants and a native of Bansang Mbally Kunda, the skills he acquired through the training will empower him more to protect girls in his community from child marriage and ensure that young people access all the information they need to realise their sexual and reproductive health. “I am going to continue to support my community by ensuring that no girl is forced into marriage before her 18th birthday” he shared.
Through this training and other initiatives, UNFPA continues to support Government and Civil Society Actors to empower young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed choices about their bodies.
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Media contact: Faith C. Ememodo – UNV Communications Associate ememodo@unfpa.org
