Government has called on stakeholders to priotize reproductive health issues among young people in Zambia.

Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Angela Kawandami said lack of adequate information on Sexual Reproduction is one of major factors contributing to high prevalence of teenage pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Diseases among young people in the country.

Ms. Kawandami said this in a speech read on her behalf by the Ministry`s Chief Social Welfare Officer Irene Munga during the Dialogue Meeting on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)for key stakeholders and marginalised youths hosted by the Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia (FAWEZA) and Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia under the “Make Way” Programme in Lusaka.

The Make Way Programme aims to reduce barriers to accessing SRHR by promoting new ways of addressing the issue.

“According to the 2018 Zambia Demographic Health Survey, teenage pregnancies stand at 29%. It is sad to note that 12% of girls and 16.3% of boys have sexual intercourse before reaching the age of 15 years. This is a reflection of challenges of adequate information on Sexual Reproductive Health among other factors,” Ms. Kawandami said.

The Permanent Secretary also noted the challenges that young people especially those with disabilities face in accessing SRHR information and services despite a wide spread of health services in the country.

She however, indicated that Government is committed to ensuring that adequate policies are put in place and implemented to address Sexual Reproductive Health services for young people with disabilities.

“My Ministry shall ensure that marginalised youths such as young people with disabilities are empowered so that they are not victims of consequences of inadequate access to SRHR information and services,” she said.