Speakers at a Youth Media Interface Dialogue titled Information Empowers have called for raising awareness among youth about sexual reproductive health and rights. The event was organised by Rahnuma Family Planning Association of Pakistan at a local hotel on Monday.
The panellists include Muhammad Malick, Awais Tohid, Shehar Bano Khan, Noor-ul-Hassan and Arooj Nasir. Youth representing from different parts of the country including Salman Ahmed, Bilal Akber, Sadaf, Niha and Altutmash shared their views on reproductive health and called for giving information on sexual reproductive health and rights in education institutes.
They demanded their right to information about puberty changes in body; reproductive health and sexuality related issues. In the absence of information about these issues, youth are prone to several forms of violence, exploitation and psychological issues that sometimes even lead to suicide attempts. The messages, which strongly emerged and conveyed through the dialogue was "we want timely information on sexual reproductive health and rights in education system".
Speakers on the occasion said that Pakistani youth are facing issues like illiteracy, unemployment and poor health. Adolescence or the transition to adulthood is becoming more of a defined developmental stage in many countries and there is concurrently a greater understanding of this age group's biological, psychosocial and health needs. "Adolescents face fears, concerns and lack of understanding about their own needs. Thus, asking for or seeking guidance and services is very difficult, and they tend to avoid seeking needed care," they added.
The Rahnuma-FPAP program for adolescents/youth factors in these multiple psychological and physical realities. The programme has designed services that can attract young people, while assuring them that they will be well treated and have their needs met.
It may be noted that Rahnuma-Family Planning Association of Pakistan (FPAP) founded in 1953, is a pioneer organisation in the field of Reproductive Health and Family Planning in Pakistan.
The representatives of Rahnuma-FPAP said it has designed services that can attract young people while assuring them. The youth friendly services extended under the programme include information dissemination about sexual reproductive health and rights. As many as 38 Youth Resource Centres remain functional and provide youth friendly spaces and various opportunities to youth ranging from vocational training to recreational facilities. About six Youth Helplines provide information, counselling and guidance to youth on issues such as gender discrimination, violence against children, health and hygiene, peer pressure, puberty, drug addiction, HIV and AIDS, early marriages, child labour etc.