 launched a new project called; enhancing reproductive health outcomes for women and girls in Zomba){kind=link}
Malawi: Girls Activist Youth Organization (GAYO) launched a new project called; enhancing reproductive health outcomes for women and girls in Zomba. The project was hosted in collaboration with Her Liberty Organization on Friday.
The aim of the initiative is to eradicate rising cases of unsafe abortions in the district. The organization is working hard to upgrade the maternal healthcare system for the district.
The maternal health is quickly becoming a major priority for the administrations of th.e African nations. Meanwhile, Girls Activist Youth Organization revealed that Africa Brief reported about 300 – 500 cases of unsafe abortions in 2023.
The organization claimed alleging that Zomba District Hospital Office reports the figures in each quarter annually. GAYO Programme Manager, Gilbert Mbwana provided more details about the initiative. He said his organization is targeting the area of Traditional Authority Malemia because of increasing numbers of cases.
He added that from January to June, 2023 they had 62 cases while in 2024 in the same period, 73 cases had been reported.
According to Mbwana, a research found out that the problem is caused by limited understanding of reproductive health and rights, inadequate information and access to modern contraceptives, reluctance to open discussions of these matters, cultural beliefs and limited youth dialogues.
“Due to this, we aim to raise awareness on consequences of unsafe abortions to 2 000 young people by the end of 12 months, prevent unsafe abortions practices among 500 adolescents, women and girls, increase awareness among 1 000 to 5 000 people and youth access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services by 60 percent in 12 months.
“We are going to partner with Zomba DHO for the project’s success and involve the community, leaders and stakeholders. This also includes government line ministries (health, youth, gender education, information and police), civil society organizations and community development department,” Mbwana said.
Her Liberty Organization Project Manager, Kettie Mikwala told Mana that the partnership is to reach as many people’s lives in different districts.
“Our aim is to advocate for safe and healthier environment for women and girls by bringing out lived experiences of unsafe abortion practices and increasing awareness and to promote young people’s urgency to access reproductive health even after the project ends by building good relationships between them and health providers around them,” Mikwala said.
The partnership of Her Liberty and GAYO was inspired by similar priorities of both parties and long history of working together; thereby, teaming up to maximize each other and jointly tackle fundraising opportunities to help the society.