On May 30th, 2024, the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), in collaboration with Knowledge SUCCESS, hosted a vital webinar addressing the rising rates of teenage pregnancies in the region. The webinar featured expert insights from professionals in Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia, focusing on policy and programmatic interventions aimed at curbing adolescent fertility rates.
The panel discussed several critical themes:
- Regional Policies and Health Outcomes: Dr. Marwa Majaliwa emphasized the importance of integrating comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and gender-based violence interventions within adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) policies. However, he highlighted gaps in the implementation of these policies, calling for a multi-sectoral approach to create targeted, budgeted interventions.
- Barriers to Contraception Access: Dr. Chris Barasa explored the social and cultural barriers that prevent teens from accessing contraceptive services. He advocated for tailored, population-based approaches to effectively address these issues, stressing the need for empathetic, knowledgeable healthcare providers.
- Youth-Friendly Services: Youth advocate Miranda Ziba highlighted the need for non-judgmental, accessible contraceptive services. She emphasized community involvement and innovative strategies like weekend clinics to ensure adolescents have the support they need.
- Role of Educational Institutions: Dr. Choolwe Jacobs underscored the importance of schools in providing reproductive health education and services. She called for inclusive policies that foster open dialogue and partnerships with nearby health centers.
The webinar concluded with a Q&A session, where panelists discussed the importance of political commitment, the need for effective communication of research findings, and the role of young people in shaping policies.
For a detailed account of the discussions and recommendations, you can access the full report here.