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NewsDay

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Sex, reproductive health investment crucial for young people

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EARLY investments in sexual and reproductive health can enhance the lives of young people and the welfare of their societies.

EARLY investments in sexual and reproductive health can enhance the lives of young people and the welfare of their societies and break the cycle of inter-generational poverty, an international organisation has said.

Phyllis Mbanje

Speaking on World Population Day which is celebrated on July 11 every year, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) director Babatunde Osotimehin said the

1,8 billion young people in the world were a powerful force capable of building the foundation of the world’s future.

Osotimehin said governments and the international community were increasingly conscious of the importance of providing resources and opportunities for all young people to reach their full potential as individuals and citizens.

“They recognise that investing in young people and enabling them to exercise their human rights not only benefits young people themselves, but can also help their countries reap a demographic dividend,” he said.

His sentiments come at a time when there are calls from stakeholders in Zimbabwe to widen the scope of education on sexuality.

Educators and parents have both been challenged to ensure that children are taught sexual reproductive health and that access to such information should be granted.

According to the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (2010/2011), women were engaging in sex and entering into marriage, on average, earlier than their male counterparts.

The average age at first sex encounter was 18,9 years for women, while it was 20,6 for men.

Puberty, the biological onset of adolescence, brings not only changes to young people’s bodies, but also new vulnerabilities to human rights abuses, particularly in the areas of sexuality, marriage and childbearing.

Millions of girls are coerced into unwanted sex or marriage, increasing the risks of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as well as death or disability due to childbirth.

A report by the Research and Advocacy Unit titled ‘Let Them Grow First: Early Marriages in Zimbabwe’ revealed that child marriage was common in Zimbabwe, and 30% of children, mostly girls, are married before the age of 18.

According to the Girl Child Network, an estimated 8 000 girls have been forced into early marriages or were held as sex slaves since 2008.

Meanwhile, UNFPA is advocating policies and programmes that invest in adolescents and youth and foster a positive environment for them; promoting their access to comprehensive sexuality education as well as quality sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning.