The Ministry of Health and Social Services has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the Namibian youth enjoy their reproductive rights through access to free contraceptives.
The Ministry’s Executive Director, Ben Nangombe, reaffirmed this on Wednesday, in a statement read on his behalf, at the commemoration of the World Contraception Day (WCD), under the theme of ‘It’s your life, it’s your responsibility’, said improved access to low-cost contraception and its uptake through family planning programmes reduces high-risk pregnancies; maternal and child mortality; teenage and unplanned pregnancies; and, improve child health and nutrition.
Nangombe said increased access to sexual and reproductive health information and services to the Namibian youth will mitigate the high incidents of teenage pregnancies that the country is currently experiencing.
“Evidence has shown that ensuring access to affordable, quality contraceptives and sexual reproductive health services is a smart economic investment. In this way, women’s and girls’ autonomy is increased and their economic security and well-being are strengthened,” he said adding that cumulatively, these benefits contribute to the development of the country and poverty reduction.
The ED also said the health and social needs of adolescents remain of critical consideration during pandemics such as COVID-19 and must be maintained in the context of the pandemic.
According to him, reports shows that during the pandemic, adolescents and young people are at a greater risk of depression and anxiety, online harassment, and sexual and reproductive health problems, such as unintended pregnancies and intimate partner violence.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Assistant Representative, Loide Amkongo said World Contraceptive Day is an important platform to ensure that sexual and reproductive health information reaches young women.
This, she said, is even more critical in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, where women and adolescent girls are at heightened direct and indirect risks of unwanted and unsupportable pregnancy as a result of lockdowns, service disruptions, stockouts, financial hardships and an increased risk of in gender-based violence, including sexual violence.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
