The two-day training was held at Directorate of Regional Education Center conference hall and Ndow’s Upper Junior Secondary School hall in the Kanifing Municipality (KMC). The programme, which targetted 20 schools including Senior and Junior Secondary Schools, and designed to complement the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MoBSE) in bridging information gaps and boost retention of girls at both Upper Basic and Senior Secondary Schools within KMC and the country at large.
The one-year programme is active in engaging school administrators and education officials, religious and communities’ leaders and youths on reproductive and sexual health education.
At the ceremony, Joseph Idigba Awuru, executive Director of Hope Life International, said that adolescents are poorly informed about their sexuality and reproductive health, adding that adolescents without adequate and accurate information find it increasingly difficult to deal with the physical, emotional, and social changes affecting them.
“They are pushed to risks of unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and sexual abuse. Ignoring the needs of adolescents, therefore, incurs a high cost in lost development opportunities, social disruption, and ill health. And, it means failing to fully support our next generation of parents and leaders.”
The project, he added, will work with institutions and partners to establish youth friendly ambassador clubs in all the targeted schools to help educate their peers on sexual and reproductive health information and rights.
He challenged youths to be goodwill ambassadors of HLI to create awareness on sexual and reproductive health issues and to protect them from contacting STIs including HIV/AIDS.
“The training is in conformity with the relevant National Comprehensive Sexual Reproductive and Health policy and International agreements.”
Alhagie Jallow, representing the Directorate of Regional Education office, applauded Hope Life International for the initiative, which he added, is complementing government efforts in engaging in-school youths on Comprehensive Health Education.
He expressed optimism that the knowledge acquired by the youths would enhance adolescent’s ability to take responsibility for making healthier choices, resisting negative pressures and avoiding risk behaviors and focus on their education.
Jallow further urged Hope Life International to continue the good work by supporting government’s efforts.
Hope Life International (HLI) is a charity organization established in 2004 to fight poverty, diseases, and advocacy for health and community development.
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