Youths' growing up phases: reproductive health often has deep impact: experts

Young people suffer from anxiety and depression while going through different phases of growing up, including puberty. In Pakistan, adolescents and young people are too often ignored when it comes to information or education related to sexuality, body, health and rights in the name of 'morality', as the subject is considered to be a 'private' domain.
This was stated by speakers at a dialogue on "Youth-friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Pakistan" organised by Rahnuma-Family Planning Association of Pakistan (Rahnuma-FPAP) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), here at a local hotel on Friday.
The dialogue addressed critical issues of reproductive, sexual health and rights and needs of young people which are generally overlooked. The dialogue, through various interactive sessions, enhanced understanding and capacity among young people so that they not only spread the message among their peers but also engage in meaningful advocacy regarding SRHR.
Speakers maintained that lack of knowledge about issues related to puberty, sexual and reproductive health often has a deep adverse impact on their personality development and healthy growth. It may result in vulnerabilities such as: infection, abuse, harassment and, particularly in Pakistani situation, in sheer confusion they seek help from 'quacks' and other non professionals who claim to 'cure' sexual and reproductive health problems, they said. The dialogue aimed to enhance understanding and solicit support for adolescents and young people's sexual reproductive health needs and rights among key stakeholders, media and policy makers and advocate for youth friendly SRH services at the provincial level.
The speakers said Rahnuma-FPAP is a pioneer organisation in the field of Reproductive Health and Family Planning in Pakistan and it has shifted from its initial focus on family planning motivation to an integrated development and community participation paradigm, which includes safe motherhood and women empowerment.
In the recent years, Rahnuma-FPAP youth network and coalitions' have been supported and promoted to be able to raise collective voices for young people's SRH Rights and demand for specific SRH programs at the national and provincial level, they said.
They also said Rahnuma-FPAP has made a conscious effort to cater to the young people's needs and therefore it has piloted youth friendly services in six family health hospitals each in Islamabad, Lahore, Gilgit-Baltistan, Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta. A network of 50 youth resource centres serve as a hub for mobilisation of young people in the communities and also acts as a point of referral to the Family Health Hospitals.
Based at these six facilities is a toll free youth help-line that is operated by male and female counsellors that provided free information, counselling and referral services regarding SRH to young people, ensuring complete privacy and confidentiality.
The speakers said collaboration between young advocates and key stakeholders (including teachers, parents, religious leaders and media) was facilitated and together they conducted an advocacy campaign for realisation of the SRH needs and rights of the young among the general public and policy making spheres. Also collaboration between non-state actors (CSOs) and other international organisations working in the same area helped increase their influence over policymakers. The dialogue was addressed by Syed Kamal Shah (CEO Rahnuma-FPAP), Nabila Malick, Amna Akhsheed and Zehra Kamal.