Young people are calling on government to promote and respect their rights to sexual reproductive health through creating avenues for their easy access to the health services.
Speaking to 263chat on the sidelines of a youth convention organized by Young People’s Network in conjunction with the National AIDS Council, Tinotenda Kabai , facilitator of YPN on sexual reproduction health , HIV/AIDS, said it is imperative for youths to access Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) without any age limit as many young people are engaging in early sexual activities.
“We have to face reality and for the constituency which I represent which is the youths, it important that all young people especially from the age of 13, be granted access to their sexual rights without any limitation.
“The reality is that many young people are indulging in early sexual activities, with some having sex at as early as 13 so by denying them access to certain sexual reproductive health rights, we will be exposing them to dangers such as sexually transmitted infections which will in turn destroy their future.
He said in line with the constitution, everyone has a right to sexual rights and the youths’ voices must be heard and listened to as depriving them that opportunity will be tantamount to infringing them their rights.
Child President, Tinaye Mbavari echoed the same sentiments saying the program helps in the fight against spread of STIs especially to the girl child who is more prone to sexual abuse at a tender age.
“The program is very important to us as the girl child because many of us are facing sexual abuse at a tender age hence we should be given access to SRHR regardless of our age.
“By limiting the access to sexual reproductive health rights, we will be putting the girl child at risk of sexual infections, so we are advocating for easy and unrestricted access to sexual reproductive health to all young children,” said President Mbavari.
National AIDS Council Youth Coordinator Beauty Nyamwanza said young people must be allowed to have unlimited sexual reproductive health at all times.
“We also engaged different chairpersons of different parliamentary portfolio committees so that they help us to push the issue forward. It might look like a small issue but one day, the world will realize that it’s more complex than we think,” she said.
