Some of the youths Zodiak spoke to said it used to be hard to access reproductive health and chances of surviving early pregnancies and childbirth were slim before some interventions in the area.

A youth representative, Juliana Mussa, claims health providers brand them prostitutes whenever they seek family planning services in respective health facilities thereby discouraging many to access the same.

A health provider at Nandumbo health centre, Vitumbiko Banda while admitting the claim says through my future, my choice project such issues are being addressed now.

Meanwhile, implementers on the project, Family Planning Association of Malawi through its Project officer for Balaka, Ester Moyo says intervention under the initiative is to address gaps when it comes to access to sexual reproductive health services among young people.

The project started in 2019 and expected to end 2024 targeting 16 000 youths 8000 in Balaka and 8000 in Lilongwe.

FPAM is implementing the project in partnership with CAVWOC with funding from Oxfam.