Her Liberty Organization, in partnership with the Girls Activist Youth Organisation (GAYO), has urged young people in Zomba District to avoid unsafe abortion practices, warning that such methods pose serious health risks.
The two organizations are jointly implementing a project titled “Enhancing the Reproductive Health Outcomes for Women and Girls,” with support from Amplify Change.
Speaking at a sports event held at Matandani Primary School in the area of Senior Chief Malemia, Her Liberty Programs Manager Kettie Mikwala highlighted concerns from hospital data showing that many girls seek post-abortion care after experiencing complications from miscarriages or unsafe abortions.
Mikwala explained that the rise in unintended pregnancies among young girls prompted the organizations to engage directly with youth in the area.
The initiative aims to raise awareness about access to contraceptive services, youth-friendly health services, and support systems for those facing challenges related to unintended pregnancies.
She added that Her Liberty and GAYO have trained 34 young people and 6 health workers to deliver messages focused on reducing unsafe abortion practices and guiding others to appropriate services.
Mikwala expressed hope that, by the end of the project, more young people will be informed about their reproductive rights and understand where to access reliable information and support.
“We want young people to share messages about the dangers of unsafe abortion,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, Hellen Truwah, a nurse and midwife from the Zomba District Health Office, commended the organizations for their efforts in supporting youth around Machinjiri Health Center in preventing unintended pregnancies.
Truwah noted that records from the health center indicate a high number of unintended pregnancies among young people in the area. She encouraged youth to make use of free, youth-friendly services available at government health facilities.
