Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) has trained peer educators from Zomba in Youth Friendly Health Services to improve access of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRH&R) information among young people living with HIV.

Community Mobilization Coordinator for the organization, Jacob Nyirongo, said the training will among other things help the youth to deal with social-cultural aspects that may hinder the spread of sexual reproductive health information.

“We specifically want to equip the peer educators to attain the demystification of misconceptions and myths surrounding sex and sexuality,” he said.

Nyirongo said the training will also equip the peer educators with facilitation skills so that they are able to deliver the information in a convenient manner.

Zomba District Youth Friendly Health Services Coordinator for the organization, Miriam Goliyati, said she is confident that the outcome of the project will meet the intended purpose.

“Looking at the abilities and capabilities that participants are having we see the potential in them and we believe that they are going to accomplish our goal of reducing HIV spread rate,” Goliyati said.

One of the participants from Thondwe Youth Friendly Healthy Centre, Gremeson Tambala praised YONECO for the training saying it will simplify their work of disseminating information on SRH&R to their fellow youths.

The training drew youths from different health facilities such as St Luke, Matawale, Zilindo, Lambulira and Thondwe.

Apart from Zomba, the program is also expected to benefit the youth in Ntcheu, Balaka, Lilongwe and Rumphi Districts.