My Age Africa recently conducted an SRHR and contraception training in Bulawayo, bringing together 20 young women and girls for an engaging and transformative learning experience.
Access to accurate, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information remains a critical gap for many young women and girls across Africa.
Without the right knowledge, too many are left vulnerable to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and HIV challenges that continue to contribute to preventable maternal mortality.
The training was designed with one core goal to empower young people with knowledge. By equipping young women and girls with accurate, practical, and stigma-free information on contraception and SRHR, the initiative created a safe space for open dialogue, learning, and reflection.
For many of the participants, this was more than just a training, it was a moment of clarity and confidence. It allowed them to ask questions they had never felt comfortable asking before and to challenge harmful narratives that often circulate in their communities.
A key component of the training was the promotion of the peer-to-peer model of information dissemination. Young people are more likely to trust and relate to information shared by their peers. By empowering these 20 participants with knowledge and communication skills, My Age Africa is investing in a ripple effect, one where each trained individual becomes a source of accurate information within their own networks.
This model is particularly effective. Breaking down barriers such as stigma, cultural taboos, and misinformation that often prevent young women from accessing SRHR services.
By centering young women and girls in these conversations, My Age Africa is helping to shift the narrative from one of vulnerability to one of agency and informed choice.
Empowered with knowledge and supported by their peers, these young women are now better equipped to make informed decisions about their bodies and their futures and to inspire others to do the same.
