A pioneering sexual health programme has branched out to include those in urban areas. The programme was initially aimed at 50,000 young people in primarily rural areas, but has now extended to encompass many more in urban areas.
Looking after the wellness and wellbeing of young people, including many married people, the programme is known as The Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health (ARSH) programme, and it has been running for many months.
It was initially targeted at adolescents who drop out of school in large numbers. These young people frequently work in vulnerable conditions and are often sexually active; many of them are actually married at an early age.
ARSH was designed with the plan of reducing the number of teenage pregnancies and encouraging people to delay marriage until an older age. The basic message was one of empowerment to young people to take control of their lives and their sexual health.
In addition to the 140 already established ARSH clinics, it was felt that there was a much greater need to help identify and assist troubled youngsters in urban areas. The clinics are designed to be a private and confidential setting where young people can come to talk about their sexual health and to receive advice on any related topic.
The friendly services aim to win the confidence of the young people, and last year they reached out to 52,029 adolescents aged 10 – 19 with both treatment and counselling, depending on their individual needs.
Parents are often not aware of their children’s sexual activities, and often do not provide sex or health advice to their children. This can lead to a great degree of unsafe practice, uncertainties, insecurities and unresolved questions. ARSH clinics hope to help combat that even further this year.
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