As a result of the above, the present GFPA director noted that there is a great need to extend the message not only at the Youth Centre level, not only on the media but also in schools for them to really know what the problem is.
He added that parents ought to understand and discuss with their children about reproductive health; about their health status and also open dialogue with them so that at least the avenues can open for them to be able to ask questions.
Additionally, he said majority of the victims of unintended pregnancies are coming from the young people, so as a result to end it, there is need to invest more in young people where they would be provided with adequate information and services on adolescent sexual reproductive health.
Moreover, he posited that looking at the country from Banjul to Koina, one would see there is a limited number of avenues where young people can access reproductive health information, adding that even though there are youth centres, but are they adequately enough to make sure that the services for young people are reached?
However, he continued that in order to end unintended pregnancies, there is also a need to invest more in young people in the area of adolescent sexual reproductive health, with a view to ensure that unintended pregnancies have resulted in a lot of disadvantages towards young girls, some of whom he said could not complete their education, some fall victims of early marriage and some ended up in fistula.
Mr. Njie pointed out that avenues should be established to adequately address the need in ending unintended pregnancies. “Even though efforts have been done, but yet we feel there is need to do more especially when it comes to investment in young people.”
The Family Planning acting director also urged the service providers to be tolerant and be accommodating to ensure the availability to provide services good quality wise and confidential wise.
