NOAYOP Briefs Press On Upcoming Activities

The network of Adolescent and youth on population and development, Gambia Chapter, Friday September 30th, 2011 briefs the press on their upcoming activities at the Kanifing Municipal Council’s Conference Hall.
Mrs. Fatoumata Singhateh who moderated the briefing, said the programme aims at raising the awareness of the general public on the upcoming activities of the network and also about the current status of the network which is supported by the UNFPA country programme on population and development.
The  vision and mission as well as the goals and objectives of the network is for the young people ages between 10 - 24 years who represents more than 20% of the total population, is the highest number of young people entering sexual and reproductive life , and the population is characterize by a very large ignorance of its sexual and reproductive health.
The network coordinator for KMC chapter Mr. Kawsu Badjie, alleged that a feasibility study was conducted in  September 2006, in URR and it was later realized that, no youth center is accessible to the network.  The governor is requesting 50*50 plot of land, but however was able to acquire 30*60, and the network is planning to build 3 bedrooms, 2 offices and a cafeteria. He called on NGO’S and other private sectors to come to their aid.
Dembo Kambi, chairperson West Coast Region Youth ( W C R) dilated on the a high prevalence of early  and non desirable  pregnancies, clandestine abortions, sexual violence, harmful traditional practices including early  forceful marriages, genital mutilations, the levirate as well as maternal morbidity  and mortality, the high prevalence of STI and feminization of HIV, illiteracy and school defection leading to a lack of opportunities in life, poverty, lack of employment, and a very high migration rate.  Weak social support results to life in the streets and risky behaviors such as drug abuses.  Growing number of young people becomes heads of households because of their parents death due to HIV, wars and poverty, and this trend can sometimes expose them to sexual and economic exploitation.
 Lamin Marong, the national chairperson believed that the international conference on population and development held in Cairo in September 1994, stresses the significance of the role of the youths in setting and pursuing  of their objectives and goals of (ICPD), more recently the (MDGs) and more particularly , their role in national actions for development, such as the abolition of deficiency , gender equity,  and strengthening of means of action of young people including adolescents in setting up a legal framework of family planning, sexual health and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
He distinguished the responsiveness the young people can formulate when gathered within an organized and operational framework to contribute in the implementation of population and developmental programmes. On this vision, he aspires to see all Gambians youths leading a joyful and sexual reproductive life as their mission is to convey a sustainable attitudinal and behavioral changes among young people, through provision of information , advocacy and training and strengthen  network and collaboration. He dilated on the structurization of the network at the national level in order to make an effective implementation of activities.