THE Iringa region health sector has expressed gratitude towards youth empowerment sexual reproductive health and rights (SRH&R) in secondary schools, colleges and universities in the region also known as “KIJANA AMKA” project implemented by MEWATA.
The Medical Women Association of Tanzania (MEWATA) is affiliated to the Medical Women International Association and Medical Association of Tanzania. MEWATA is comprised of Tanzania women who are medical and dental.
Iringa Regional Medical Officer, Dr Robert Salim, made the statement during the MEWATA project insemination meeting held in Iringa region yesterday.
He said the project has increased access and delivery of quality of sexual and reproductive health and right information and education among youth aged 15-24, who are in secondary schools, colleges and universities.
Dr Salim also said the project helped increase linkages and utilization of quality youth friendly services among youth aged 15-24 who are in secondary schools, colleges and universities in Iringa municipality and Iringa district, Iringa region.
He said that Iringa region is currently facing the problem of rape and gender based violence (GBV) issues adding that project will help reduce such problems because the youth have increased knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and right.
According to MEWATA Director Dr Joyce Lymo, “KIJANA AMKA” project period was January-October 2017 but it was extended to January 2018.
She said that the project expected results were to see that youth have increased knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and right, increase access to youth friendly services whenever it is needed and also to increase number of health facilities that provide youth friendly services as any other services.
Dr Lymo mentioned the schools and colleges involved including four secondary schools- Kalenga, Kidamali, Ifunda Tech and Isimani in Iringa District Council.
In Iringa Muncipal Council, Lugalo and Iringa Girls secondary schools, Kleruu, Ruaha, CDTI, RETCO Business college, VETA, and Mkwawa University.
She added the Iringa University and Ruaha Catholic University (RUCU) were selected but implementation was not done.
However, Dr Lymo mentioned some challenges they faced during the implementation of “KIJANA AMKA” project including lack of information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials in health facilities, inadequate health care providers to provide youth friendly services and some of the training institutions defaulted due religious grounds.
No comments:
Post a Comment