First Lady Prof. Gertrude Mutharika has said that empowering young people through education and access to sexual and reproductive health services is key to securing Malawi’s future.
Speaking in Mzuzu during the launch of the Youth Dialogue on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Youth-Friendly Services, an initiative under the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), she stressed the importance of creating platforms where young people can openly discuss the challenges affecting them.
Madame Mutharika urged the youth to prioritize their education, describing it as a reliable foundation for success and responsible adulthood.
She also expressed concern over rising HIV infections among adolescents, noting that girls account for the majority of new cases, and called for urgent interventions.
In her call to action, the First Lady appealed to all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at expanding access to youth-friendly SRHR and HIV services across the country.
Yasin Salimu, a representative of the Mzuzu Youth Network, noted that underfunding and limited awareness are among the key factors hindering young people from accessing quality, youth-friendly health services.
Salimu has since appealed to the government to increase budget allocations and recruit more health workers to support the provision of SRHR services.
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