World Contraception Day takes place on September 26th every year. The annual worldwide campaign centers around a vision where every pregnancy is wanted. Launched in 2007, WCD’s mission is to improve awareness of contraception and to enable young people to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.
We had Mwinono Debora Chumbu as the facilitator for Malawian Girls Rock live. She is the founder of Space Malawi, a SRHR advocate and a girl education activist. She was joined by Pamela Ruth a public speaker with a wealth of knowledge in the field of contraception and women's health. After the live Pamela wrote an article briefly discussing how we can advocate for better contraception treatments for women and young girls and this is what she had to say.
Advocating for contraception for girls between the ages of 16-21 in Malawi, where there is a stigma, can be a sensitive and challenging task. However, with careful planning and a strategic approach, you can help raise awareness and promote the importance of contraception in this context.
Here are some steps you can take:
1. Educate yourself: Take the time to understand the specific cultural, religious, and social factors that contribute to the stigma around contraception in Malawi. This will help you approach the issue with sensitivity and develop a more effective advocacy strategy.
2. Build relationships: Establish connections with local community leaders, healthcare workers, educators, and other stakeholders who have influence and knowledge about the issue. Engage in open and respectful conversations, listening to their perspectives while also sharing relevant information about contraception.
3. Collaborate with local organizations: Partner with local NGOs or community-based organizations already working on sexual and reproductive health issues in Malawi. They can provide valuable insights, resources, and support for your advocacy efforts.
4. Address misconceptions: Develop educational campaigns that challenge common misconceptions surrounding contraception. This can include providing accurate information about its benefits, effectiveness, safety, and dispelling any myths or misinformation.
5. Engage in community dialogue: Organize community discussions, workshops, or town hall meetings to create a safe space for dialogue on sexual and reproductive health, including contraception. Encourage open discussions and invite medical professionals, experts, and young women who have positive experiences with contraception to share their knowledge and stories.
6. Use local voices and role models: Highlight local role models who are advocates for contraception and have successfully challenged the stigma. Sharing their stories and experiences can help inspire young girls and communities to reconsider their views on contraception.
7. Collaborate with influential figures: Reach out to influential figures such as religious leaders, community elders, or respected individuals to help address the stigma surrounding contraception. Their support and endorsement can carry significant weight and help shift public opinion.
8. Work with the media: Utilize local media outlets, including radio, TV, and newspapers, to raise awareness about the importance of contraception and challenge the stigma. Develop engaging and culturally appropriate content, including interviews, documentaries, or public service announcements.
9. Advocate for policy changes: Collaborate with relevant stakeholders and organizations to advocate for policies that support increased access to contraception for girls aged 16-21. This can include advocating for comprehensive sexual education in schools and increasing the availability of contraception in healthcare facilities.
10. Monitor and evaluate: Continuously monitor and evaluate the impact of your advocacy efforts. Collect data on changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards contraception to understand the progress made and identify areas for further improvement.
Remember, advocating for contraception in a stigmatized environment requires patience, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration with local communities. By raising awareness, providing accurate information, and fostering dialogue, you can help create a more supportive environment for girls in Malawi to access contraception and make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.
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