AHF wants parents, teachers to engage adolescents on reproductive health

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The Aids Healthcare Foundation ((AHF), has called on parents and teachers to engage adolescents on issues relating to reproductive health.
AHF Country Director, Echey Ijezie made the call yesterday in Abuja, during the 2019 International Day of the girl child.
At the programme which saw young girls selected from six secondary schools within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the AHF Country Director, said the foundation organized the programme because of its concern for the younger generation.
He said adolescents are at risk of aids because of risky behaviours, saying there was need for parents and teachers to curb such behaviours before it gets out of hand.
“At the age, they always want to try new things. They want to engage in sex and other untoward behaviours. We need the parents at home to monitor and ensure that the children are properly cautioned against indulging in bad behaviours. Also, the teachers who are also with them in school should ensure that the adolescents learn good virtues that could assist them to be better in the future”.
He said the AHF will continue to create platforms to discuss reproductive health issues that are beneficial to young girls”.
“We want to empower and bridge the gap that exist and ensure proper sensitization of the girl child so as to give them a brighter future”.
Also speaking, Isa Ahmadu, from the Department of Public Health in the Federal Ministry of Health, said he was overwhelmed by the participation of students in the programme.
However, he said there was need for improved hygiene and environmental learning centers for children to improve daily.
AHmadu warned them against involving in anti-social behaviours, urging them to put to use their experience from the programme.
He said the Ministry is concerned about their plight and will continue to ensure programmes that could assist them in their growth.