Ambassadors of change

Rivaldo Kavanga The Society for Family Health in partnership with the African Youth and Adolescents Network (AfriYAN), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) and various stakeholders hosted a two-day workshop for young people from all 14 regions of the Namibia. The workshop aimed at enhancing the capacity of young people on pertinent issues around sexual reproductive health (SRH) and gender-based violence (GBV) and to provide a platform for dialogue. The workshop started off with a spark as the young people in attendance made it clear that in many parts of the country, they are unaware of SRH. Grace Hidinua from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFDA) gave a presentation on the current situation on young people and SRH and HIV. The presentation dealt with the status quo of young people, HIV, teenage pregnancies and illegal abortions. It also consisted of shocking figures which showed that the Zambezi Region has the highest HIV prevalence within the age range of 15 to 64. This was attributed to the fact that Zambezi shares its borders with three countries, which, in turn, contributes to the high HIV prevalence rate, according to Hidinua. Khomas was among the regions with the lowest HIV prevalence rates in the country. Collaboration, not competitionMeanwhile, deputy minister of information Emma Theofelus spoke to the young leaders during the official opening of the programme and encouraged them to empower one another and collaborate instead of competing with one another. The young leaders also got inside information on the Eastern and Southern Africa Agreement (ESA) and the role they have to play in the commitment and monitoring it. Kundja Kavari, representing Erongo, said he learnt and unlearnt so many things at the workshop about abuse and consent and that society has normalised a number of things that are damaging to us.

Ambassadors of change

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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Ambassadors of change

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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