Industrialization Promoting Promiscuity In Mzuzu

Truck drivers transporting fuel to the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) fuel reserves at Sonda Township in Mzuzu City are reported to be enticing young girls with money to engage them into promiscuous behaviours.

The complaint comes in the wake of poor performance among girls in schools in recent primary and secondary school examinations in the area.

Inkosana Unyolo Lungu under Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba District bemoaned lack of recreation centers in his area being the major contributing factor to the increase in number of teenage pregnancies and early school dropouts among girls.

The chief bemoaned urbanization and the growth of industrialization to be some of the effects contributing to teenage pregnancies and early school dropouts among girls at Sonda Township in the City.

“We don’t have recreation centers, this area is surrounded by bars and lodges and that is contributing negatively to our youth development.

“Sonda is among the volatile suburbs in the city of Mzuzu with high learner school dropouts due to among others, cultural practices and effects of urbanization,” said the Chief.

Group Village Headman Unyolo Lungu then bashed authorities for issuing liquor licenses even to kiosks which are now selling alcohol to young ones even below the age of 14 years.

A form two 15-year old, member of the Our Future Youth Arm Organization, Miriam Phambala said mostly, drivers for the fuel tankers entice young girls into unprotected sex hence the rise in number of teenage pregnancies and transmission of HIV/Aids in the area.

“What do you think young girls can do if they are enticed with 15 thousand kwacha, the way it happens?” quizzed Phambala.

In an effort to fight teenage pregnancies and early school dropouts, Added Power in Understanding Sex Education (APAUSE) has intensified interventions under its ‘Youth Outreach programs’ aimed at empowering the youth socially and economically.

Speaking during the outreach visit to Sonda Primary school in Mzuzu City, the Executive Director for APAUSE, Peter Mumba stressed on the need to instill the knowledge and skill into the youths.

“Only the youth with positive minds can contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country, but that will only materialize if all partners in youth development join hands and empower them socially,” Mumba said.

In 2010 APAUSE Malawi was established in consultation with school leavers and students, life skills and head teachers, cultural experts, sexual and reproductive health providers and church leaders to empower youths in their socioeconomic advancements.