.............Y2Y: CONTRACEPTION FOR THE YOUTH

By Halima Shaban

HALF of the world’s population is under the age of 25. This includes the largest-ever generation of adolescents, who are or will soon be of reproductive age. James Kotzsch, the country director of German Foundation for World Population (DSW), says young people are faced with the prospects of early marriage and childbearing, incomplete education, and the threat of HIV/AIDS.

“Teaching young people how to stay healthy is one of the best investments that can be made. Not only does it benefit individuals, but by teaching today’s young people how to lead a healthy life, we are instilling this behaviour for generations to come,” Kotzsch says.

James Kotzsch, the country director of German Foundation for World Population

He says most people view family planning as a thing for only the married: “As DSW, our target group is 10-24years. Children in this age bracket should know early enough that family planning is also good for them because this will help them take informed decisions in future.”   In order to address the multi-faceted needs of young people, DSW has developed youth-to-youth (Y2Y) Initiative in which young people become agents of change. A comprehensive programme designed to improve the sexual and reproductive health of young people by young people.   Ulrike Neubert, the DSW director for development programmes, says: “Unlike many other sexual education projects, Y2Y embodies the belief that young people themselves are key actors in their own development, not by simply benefiting, but also by helping solutions to their problems.”

Ulrike Neubert, the DSW director for development programmes, says: “Unlike many other sexual education projects, Y2Y embodies the belief that young people themselves are key actors in their own development, not by simply benefiting, but also by helping solutions to their problems.”

Kotzsch says DSW’s Y2Y programme is highly replicable, sustainable, adaptable and dynamic. Since its lunch in 1999, it has led to the formation and support of over 1,000 youth clubs, with over 30,000 members, reaching millions of young people in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

David Mshila, the country director DSW Kenya holds the view that the rapid growth in population, especially in poor countries, overburdens health and education systems and prevents economic development. This is why fighting poverty can only be successful if population growth is slowed down.

Kotzsch says most African cultures, parents and guardians do not talk with their children about sex and growing up.

If these subjects are mentioned, parents give their children warnings or caution without explaining or discussing issues related to sexuality. DSW’s training centre in Uganda was designed to cater for adolescent sexual and reproductive health training needs in East Africa.