Sex education and access to contraceptives – we and our children take this for granted. This, though, does not apply for most young people in Burkina Faso. There, millions of young people, especially girls and young women, are exposed to huge health risks of unwanted pregnancies, sexual abuse, disrupted education and infection with HIV/Aids. Pregnant unmarried girls are usually repudiated by their partners and families, disgraced at their own kin.
Our partner organisation AMMIE supports 16 young unmarried mothers and their children in Ouahigouya and in three rural communities. The project objective is an improvement in the health, economic and psychosocial situation of these teenage mothers. Activities include information and counselling, health promotion and family planning, support in education and vocational training, and income generation.
The project also focuses on sex education for young people. Preventive measures such as theatrical performances, radio programmes and group discussions curtail unwanted pregnancies among young people aged 12 to 19. The project also targets around 1,000 boys and girls at secondary schools along with 500 young women in childbearing age who do not attend school.
The youth centre established by AMMIE is an open space for meetings and discussions and also an information hub, where young people can learn and exchange about sexual and reproductive health.
