CBC Health Services’ Inequality Project Partners with Teachers to tackle Sexual, Reproductive Health Issues in Adolescents
Teachers from different schools in the North West Region have been trained on how to provide psychosocial support to children/adolescents living with HIV in conflict situations. The two-day workshop held at the Regional Delegation for Secondary Education from April 11-12, 2023.
Opening the workshop, the Regional Delegate for Secondary Education, Mr. Ngwang Roland Yuven applauded the initiative and assured the government’s support to improve the social and physical welfare of adolescents. “We as teachers, persons whom these adolescents listen to and look up to will spare no time and resources to ensure they are well equipped in the knowledge of sexually transmissible infections and their sexual and reproductive rights,” he stated.
The workshop held under the auspices of the Inequality Project of the CBC Health Services, also referred to as the Expanding and Scaling up HIV and SRH services to Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) project. The instructors gained insight into special issues affecting pediatric HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment, child abuse, protection, welfare and safeguarding, and techniques in counseling adolescents, amongst others. They engaged in practical exercises and demonstrations, geared at giving them an understanding of communication and counseling techniques.
These teachers and pedagogic instructors, who play a vital role in the lives of children/ adolescents were given the skills required to rebuild communities and improve the general mental health condition of children, especially those living with HIV.
Closing the workshop, the Regional Delegate for Secondary Education, Mr. Ngwang Roland Yuven encouraged and urged the instructors to be personal about this course, giving themselves wholly to improving the way adolescents perceive and relate to sexual and reproductive health issues. He also asked them to be a beacon of hope to the children living with HIV, by teaching their students the right information about HIV, thereby changing mindsets, and mannerisms, and contributing to ending stigma and discrimination in every community. He concluded by pledging to incorporate and advocate for sustainable programs in every school of the North West Region as a way of educating youths on HIV and SRH.
