In a bid to ensure that Young People Living With HIV are getting necessary and timely information from relevant authorities on Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) has planned to establish a web-based advocacy platform in Dedza district.
According to the organization’s youth coordinator – Deziel Macheso, they will distribute smart phones to selected youths in the district which they will be using to share stories and experiences in as far as Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and HIV/AIDS issues are concerned.
Macheso said the move has been made in order to enhance meaningful participation of the youths, in advocating for quality health services and influence fight against Gender Based-Violence, stigma and discrimination.
”This project is targeting young people with HIV and we will train the young people with advocacy skills and the training will also have a component of the use of social media for advocacy because we believe it is an important tool for raising their concerns”. Macheso said.
He also highlighted that engaging technology particularly social media in issues of Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS, will bring much progress in the fight against the pandemic as they will be able to report on SRH and HIV/AIDS issues including successes, challenges, breaking news and shocking news in their respective locations.
”This is one of the easiest way of mobilizing young people because most of them take much of their time on social media, so we believe that it is very right to use this tool as it will mobilize them to approach duty bearers with one collective voice on issues they want to be addressed”. He continued.
The training will be conducted early September, where 32 young people will be drilled in advocacy.
The project which has been funded by UNFPA to a tune of around 25, 000 United States Dollars will benefit young people of Traditional Authorities Tambala, Kachindamoto, Kaphuka, Kachere and Chauma in the district.
Family Planning Association of Malawi is a local non-governmental organisation that was established in 1999 to provide comprehensive youth friendly sexual and reproductive health services in the country
