Malawi’s first lady Getrude Mutharika has urged on girls in her country to avoid early marriages, reports Nyasa Times.
“Some of you may wonder and ask the question, why wait? But let me advise you that there is always time for everything; so make sure you wait until you finish your education and you are financially independent,” said the first lady at an Interface meeting with the youth on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and HIV Prevention and the launch of Youth Charter in Lilongwe.
Mrs. Mutharika pleaded with girls to let their bodies to finish growing since they are not even ready for child bearing; warning that teenage pregnancies are accompanied by life threatening complications such as obstetric fistula. She further added that teenage pregnancy rate has increased from 26 per cent in 2010 to 29 per cent in the country.
She also called of the girls who are of age and probably sexually active, to abstain until marriage.
“Do not indulge in sexual activities until when you get married. I know that many girls are only thinking about using contraceptives to prevent pregnancies; remember contraceptives do not protect you from HIV/AIDS,” she said.
National Aids Commission (NAC) says that it will ensure 90 per cent of all youth living with HIV will know their status and advocate for increased access coverage and it will ensure quality of Youth Friendly Services (YFHS) including HIV Testing Services (HTS).
