Girls in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimutu in Lilongwe District have commended Oxfam in Malawi for implementing a sexual and reproductive health (SRH) project in the area.

Speaking on Tuesday during a media tour to assess the impact of Her Future, Her Choice Project, a community member Sellah Banda said Oxfam in Malawi conducted an awareness campaign to create demand for family planning services.

She said this resulted in most girls flocking to health facilities.

“Previously, girls were discouraged from accessing family planning services, saying they were meant for adults. But through the awareness campaign, we  learned that girls too, have the right to access family planning services,” said Banda.

Banda prepares her soya ready for sale

She said family planning services, especially condoms, prevent people from contracting sexually transmitted infections.

Ephrida Mulongoti, a member of Mtchoka Youth Club, said the project also encourages girls to venture into economic activities.

“It came to light that most girls in the area sleep with men due to poverty. However, the project has empowered girls to choose to sleep with men when they want and not doing so because of poverty as it puts them at a disadvantage,” she said.

Oxfam in Malawi Her Future, Her Choice programme coordinator Rejoice Bonongwe said they encourage girls to access SRH services to prevent unplanned pregnancies and STIs.

“We have been working with the youth in T/A Chimutu in Lilongwe to improve access to SRH services. We are pleased that the project created demand for family planning services,” she said.

Bonongwe also said they introduced mobile services to help girls in hard-to-reach areas get family planning services.

“The project is also addressing religious and cultural beliefs that preventgirls from accessing family planning services,” she said.

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