United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), DOXA Family Care, and Mandela University’s HIV and AIDS Research Unit, led by Dr Rosemary Kalenga, organised the seminar to inform government on the importance of SRHR.
Dr Rosemary Kalenga
Following up on the first event that the stakeholders attended, which delved into adolescents’ access to healthcare, the SA-Canada youth exchange which planned on having 15 students from each country aimed to understand the experiences of adolescents in both countries, their similarities and differences.
The goal is to help everyone to understand more about SRHR and raise awareness on how to access services. In this way, so that the learners not only benefit, but also become advocates for SRHR in their communities, where this subject is often taboo.
Eastern Cape Department of Social Development Youth Development Director, Babalwa Nkwentsha stressed the importance of government support in the success of SRHR, especially with less global funding available.
“Government needs to keep adapting, updating and improving their strategies to make a real-life impact in the SRHR, and supporting such an event where young people generate ideas for themselves,” said Nkwentsha.
The breakaway discussion shed light on the common issue of a disconnect between the older and younger generation in both countries, making it hard for young people to learn and talk about sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Learners said the solution would be to leverage the growing influence of social media, since their cultures or backgrounds prevented them from having open conversations with their parents or community members.
“It would be good for us to speak about SRHR more openly through a trendy platform, such as podcasts or television” said Nomalizo Mlalandle, Grade 10 learner from Mzontsundu Senior Secondary School.
Students suggested that the Department of Basic Education works with the Department of Health, to have teachers specifically trained for the SRHR curriculum. In this way each school could have a clinic, which would ultimately play a role in reducing teenage pregnancy and the spread of HIV&AIDS.
“As much as government is responsible for creating and funding SRHR services, we as citizens can also play a role in creating an environment that is comfortable with talking about sexual behaviours and lifestyle, while killing the social stigma,” added Nyakallo Sibi, a final year student at Mandela University, who joined virtually.
Curbing the spread of HIV&AIDS has become a passion project for Dr Kalenga, whose work focuses on educating high school learners and students, as well as offering support to those who are living with HIV&AIDS.
“When we do this work with UNICEF and train young girls on sexual and reproductive health and rights, I am excited because I am investing in the future – future mothers and future leaders,” said Dr Kalenga.
Global Affairs Canada Senior International Development Officer, Tsitsi Fungurani emphasised the need for continued collaboration, especially with organisations, such as UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), dealing with young people’s problems and assisting with knowledge and resource acquisition.