Consultant public health, reproductive health ,maternal and child health and Gender based violence
It is crucial to educate children and adolescents about reproductive health, including family planning, at an early stage to empower them to make informed decisions. In our country, there are approximately 2.2 million unsafe abortions annually, reproductive health discussions are often taboo, child marriage and abuse are prevalent, maternal mortality rates are high, and gender-based violence is widespread. Failing to provide adequate education to our youth can have detrimental effects. Implementing a Life Skills Based Education (LSBE) program that includes reproductive health information and abuse prevention is essential. These messages should be adapted to be culturally sensitive. Creating safe spaces for children to openly discuss these topics is vital. Let's not harm them by withholding important information.