Participants at a workshop have expressed concern over behavioural issues of youth and said advocacy through media could yield positive results regarding youth reproductive health. "Media Sensitisation Workshop on Health and Behavioural Issues of Youth" was arranged by EHAD, which is a nationwide mass awareness campaign urging parents and caretakers to guide their children.
It was noted in the workshop that one of the leading factors that can result in social instability in Pakistan is the lack of proper information on behavioural issues of youth. Wajih Akhtar, master trainer and communication expert said "Deficiency of right information on behavioural issues of youth like challenges of growing up, child sexual abuse, addiction and HIV/AIDS and hepatitis may lead to exploitation, abuse, rights violations, ill-informed decisions and untimely deaths."
He said, "One of the major reasons for lack of awareness and negative perceptions about these issues is low media coverage given to these issues." He added that journalists should make these issues a reporting priority so that parents and caretakers gear-up to guide their children through these vital times.
The participants were given a detailed review regarding issues like Right of Privacy, Insensitive Reporting, International Best Practices, Challenges Faced by Pakistani Media while Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse, Puberty Issues and Infectious Diseases like Hepatitis & HIV/AIDS, How to make these Issues Media's Priority, Presentation of Selected Insensitive Media Reports and Allocation of Topics from Five Areas for Group Activity.
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