By Nevson Mpofu
Harare-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has vowed to support the International Conference on Population and Development goals through the support of UNFPA to young people in the country. He said initiatives that improve life like what UNFPA does can -not be ignored or looked down upon.
On Thursday 11 July on World Population Day, the President officially opened a clinic in Harare South at a severely poverty stricken community called Hopley , 10 kilometres outside the city centre of Harare .
‘’My Government renews its commitments to the International Conference on Population and Development Agenda. We support initiatives that improve the quality of life of our young people.
‘’The quality of life of any individual is undoubtedly important. There-fore the work of the UNFPA is important as we address concerns of young people World-Wide today.
‘’At ICPD in Cairo , 179 countries adopted a forward looking 20 year programme of action that continues to serve as a comprehensive guide to people centred development program .
The Clinic comes to official launch together with the youth centre in the community. The area has a total of 200,000 people of which 65,000 of them are young people. The clinic and youth centre was built by the City of Harare with much support from UNFPA. A local company Lafarge provided cement at the site.
The centre provides Industry skills to young people. Among them at most is cobble stone technology, brick laying, electrical work and plumbing. Out of the total number of those empowered 56% of them are young women. Young women train on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights.
‘’We have like always given full financial support. The core main reason is that we are into these issues. We need to see to it and get assured that young people explore for better opportunities especially young girls in terms of Sexual Reproductive Health Rights. They later in life explore better Health Life-Lines for better communities.’’
‘’Youth Friendly Health Services will serve many young people in the area in line with Health issues related to HIV and AIDS , STIs and elimination of Reproductive Tract Infections like those related to cervical cancers . It meant a lot about eliminating HIV and AIDS.’’ says Esther Muia , UNFPA Zimbabwe Country Representative .
Sweden is a strong advocate to the above mentioned issues. Martin Johnrud Charge d Affairs at Swedish Embassy in Harare said services at the centre will reduce unwanted pregnancies , sexual transmitted diseases , HIV and some communicable illnesses .
‘’This clinic goes a long way in achieving development goals of the United Nations. It is interesting that we address thorny Health problems at a time we move to eliminate HIV and AIDS,.
‘’I am impressed as this comes at a time the World is looking at Sustainable Development Goals. Today as we also commemorate World Population Day, the message is sent everywhere’’, he said
