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Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Give contraception to girls – Ipas
A health profession addressing parents at Kanyama Clinic in Lusaka
By DOREEN NAWA
IN A BID to reduce the number of women who die from pregnancy-related
complications, a cross section of people in Zambia and non- governmental
organisations have suggested that contraception should be given to
every woman in the reproductive age group including girls between the
ages of 14 to 18.
Ipas Zambia director Felicia Sakala said it was “unethical” to allow these women to keep dying from preventable deaths.
Speaking in an interview at a ‘Safe aborting advocacy’ meeting in Lusaka
recently, Ms Sakala said even though the major causes of maternal
mortality were known and ranged from over bleeding, high blood pressure
to malaria, many women die of unsafe abortion.
Ipas is a global non-profit that works to increase women’s ability to
exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, and to reduce maternal
mortality as a result of unsafe abortions.
Ms Sakala said for Ipas Zambia, the idea of introducing contraception to
girls between 14 and 18 years especially those in schools is a thought
in the right direction.
“They can’t tell their parents that they are pregnant. They can’t tell
their teachers. And the boys who have made them pregnant are usually
their classmates and they cannot help. These girls usually end up trying
to get rid of the foetus and at times they end up dying,” said Ms
Sakala said.
She said this is not time to bury our heads in the sand but instead we
should prepare to find ways in which to avail contraception to girls in
this age bracket.
“The is need to set up youth-friendly corners in schools, hospitals,
where girls can go and get help,” said Ms Sakala, adding that there
should also be room to provide condoms and pills as well as counselling.
“You don’t know what some of these girls go through,” said Ms Sakala.
“When they cannot confide in anyone and they are desperate to get rid of
the pregnancy, they will do anything.”
Ms Sakala said there is need to reduce the stigma associated with youth sexuality.
“Even when girls and young women are informed about family planning and
services available, many do not access the services for fear of reproach
or criticism.
“To lower cultural and social barriers to care, we must engage community
leaders including political and religious leaders,” Ms Sakala said.
IN A BID to reduce the number of women who die from pregnancy-related complications, a cross section of people in Zambia and non- governmental organisations have suggested that contraception should be given to every woman in the reproductive age group including girls between the ages of 14 to 18.
Ipas Zambia director Felicia Sakala said it was “unethical” to allow these women to keep dying from preventable deaths.
Speaking in an interview at a ‘Safe aborting advocacy’ meeting in Lusaka recently, Ms Sakala said even though the major causes of maternal mortality were known and ranged from over bleeding, high blood pressure to malaria, many women die of unsafe abortion.
Ipas is a global non-profit that works to increase women’s ability to exercise their sexual and reproductive rights, and to reduce maternal mortality as a result of unsafe abortions.
Ms Sakala said for Ipas Zambia, the idea of introducing contraception to girls between 14 and 18 years especially those in schools is a thought in the right direction.
“They can’t tell their parents that they are pregnant. They can’t tell their teachers. And the boys who have made them pregnant are usually their classmates and they cannot help. These girls usually end up trying to get rid of the foetus and at times they end up dying,” said Ms Sakala said.
She said this is not time to bury our heads in the sand but instead we should prepare to find ways in which to avail contraception to girls in this age bracket.
“The is need to set up youth-friendly corners in schools, hospitals, where girls can go and get help,” said Ms Sakala, adding that there should also be room to provide condoms and pills as well as counselling.
“You don’t know what some of these girls go through,” said Ms Sakala. “When they cannot confide in anyone and they are desperate to get rid of the pregnancy, they will do anything.”
Ms Sakala said there is need to reduce the stigma associated with youth sexuality.
“Even when girls and young women are informed about family planning and services available, many do not access the services for fear of reproach or criticism.
“To lower cultural and social barriers to care, we must engage community leaders including political and religious leaders,” Ms Sakala said.