National Youth Leaders training of trainers on Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Zambia has endorsed international commitments towards ensuring everyone’s right to Sexual and Reproductive Health, as well as adopted several legislative and administrative measures to implement such commitments. However, the lack of access to accurate SRHR information, and appropriate services particularly among young people not only limits their ability to shun risky sexual practices but also limits their developmental possibilities. Some of the Key SRHR challenges faced by young people in Zambia include early sex debut and the consequent rise in unwanted and teenage pregnancies, unstainable population growth, persistent spread of HIV & AIDS, persistent of rape, defilement, and other forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, the prevalence of the different kinds of cancer that affects the reproductive system, Menstrual hygiene challenges, among others. These challenges partly thrive on some deeply entrenched life-threatening cultural and religious conceptions and practices around gender and sexuality that curb the potential impact of policies and other Public health interventions implemented to address the SRHR challenges in the country. 

Addressing these challenges is key for Zambia to achieve Aspirations one and six of the agenda 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, and 4. As a social driver of change, churches have a significant role to play in ensuring that Zambia overcomes the SRHR challenges faced in the country and in implementing the AU aspirations and SDGs mentioned above. To support its member churches in Zambia to achieve this, AACC will train 22 youth leaders to live as Ecumenical Health Ambassadors who promote sexual and reproductive health and rights in the country through approaches that foster human dignity.