PYAO moves to improve accessibility of SRHR services
During one of the recent engagements that PYAO conducted with medical personnel, community and religious leaders, and some youth leaders, it was revealed that access to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) services is still a challenge, resulting in a high number of teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
In her presentation during the engagement organised with support from AmplifyChange, Esnart Likoya Kampondeni, Youth Friendly Health Services Coordinator for Phalombe, reported that a total of 5,972 teen pregnancies were recorded in 2025 among young people aged 15 to 19, with 200 unsafe abortions registered in Phalombe district.
She outlined several factors contributing to this situation and advised community and religious leaders in the district to join hands.
Organisation’s Efforts
PYAO is working closely with youth clubs and youth leaders from various networks in Phalombe district to ensure that young people know their sexual and reproductive rights and advocate for them.
Recently, PYAO trained focal persons of Youth Friendly Health Services (YFHS) from all health facilities in Phalombe district to orient them on the national standards for Adolescent Youth-Friendly Health Services (AYFHS) and the quality of care provided by service providers.
These focal persons have reported an increase in the number of young people seeking SRHR services at their health facilities following awareness and mobilisation efforts.
“I am happy to see that with your (PYAO) support and collaboration with the leadership of young people’s groups, we have observed an improvement in the number of young people accessing SRHR services, especially family planning methods. In the past, fewer than 10 youths would come weekly, but now the number has rapidly increased to around 80 at this facility,” said Janet Matitha, YFHS Focal Person at Waruma Health Centre.
In addition, PYAO is also closely working with Youth Community-Based Distribution Agents (YCBDAs) from various communities across Phalombe district to ensure that family planning methods reach every young person and all individuals in the district.
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Representatives of various youth clubs in Phalombe displaying contraceptives which they collected to distribute to their fellows in the respective clubs
PYAO has also been engaging with community and religious leaders, who are key to changing the culture and beliefs that contribute to the increase in unintended pregnancies, which result in early marriages or unsafe abortions, both of which are harmful to adolescent girls and young women.
Sheikh Abdul Sitolo, Chairperson for Phalombe District Interfaith Action Committee (DIAC), recently commended PYAO for implementing various initiatives aimed at protecting the lives of adolescent girls and young women. He has since pledged that religious leaders will work with other relevant stakeholders to curb teen pregnancies in the district.
“We would like to thank PYAO for providing platforms such as these. Today, we have heard alarming figures of teenage pregnancies that require us to take action regarding awareness. PYAO, with its limited resources, cannot reach all the communities across the district alone; hence, we need to collaborate with other relevant stakeholders to address the issue of teen pregnancies,” he stated.
Vincent Makuluni Thom, Executive Director for PYAO, stated that the organisation will continue to implement various innovative strategies to increase access to SRHR services and expressed hope that stakeholders will work hard to address the problems affecting young people.
“We will continue utilising all channels that can help us ensure increased accessibility to SRHR services. We are employing various strategies and innovative methods. We are also providing condoms at locations such as barbershops, video shows, and drinking joints to increase uptake,” said Thom.
