UNESCO CALL FOR STRENGTHENING EDUCATION ON SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN AFRICA

UNESCO CALL FOR STRENGTHENING EDUCATION ON SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN AFRICA

Acting UNESCO Country Representative, Abdul Wahab Coulibaly speaks to invited dignitaries during the official launching of the “Young People Today. Time to Act Now” report which highlighted Reproductive Health Services (RHS) to young people in Africa for social well being of the African society across the continent.

By Staff Writer

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) calls for strengthened sexuality education and sexual reproductive health services for young people in Eastern and Southern Africa and Tanzania in general.

Speaking at the launch to invited dignitaries from all UN agencies, government officials and reporters, UNESCO’s Regional Aids Advisor, Dr Patricia Machawira said the poor status of sexuality education and Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) is evidenced by the high rates of teenage pregnancies in the region.

“For instance, by age 17, at least 20 percent of young women in six of the 21countries in the region have started childbearing, early childbearing often contributes to school dropout and may lead to maternal mortality,’ Dr Machawira

A UNESCO report was disseminated recent urging ministers from Eastern and Southern Africa to respond to continuing high levels of HIV infection, unintended pregnancy and low HIV prevention knowledge impacting on the region’s 158m adolescents and young people.

Assistant Director from the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training(Diversity Unity) Dr. Laetitia Sayi speaks to invited guests and reporters on behalf of the government on the importance of sexual and reproductive health education to young people in Tanzania and Africa at large.

The 21-country report, “Young People Today. Time for Action NOW” BY UNESCO, UNAIDS, UNFPA, WHO and other bi-lateral partners demonstrates that adolescents and young people especially young women –face a wide range of challenges that compromises their life chances.

Currently, every hour, an estimated 50 young people, again mostly women, become infected with HIV. This makes Eastern and Southern Africa the world’s most affected region.

The report said with 430,000 new infections annually among young people aged 15-24 and an estimated 2.6 million other young people living with HIV in the region.