PMB youth dialogue tackles GBV, substance abuse and teen pregnancy
'The youth were very vocal and shared practical ideas on how technology can be used to assist them'
Young people from across KwaZulu-Natal have called for improved access to contraceptives, stronger action against gender-based violence and greater support to address substance abuse and teenage pregnancy during a Youth Month dialogue held in Pietermaritzburg last week.
The dialogue, hosted by Lifeline Pietermaritzburg in partnership with Thandanani Children’s Home, loveLife and Dlalanathi, provided young people with an opportunity to discuss the challenges affecting them and propose practical solutions.
Lifeline Pietermaritzburg director Sinikiwe Biyela said the discussions highlighted the importance of allowing young people to shape programmes designed for their benefit.
As June was Youth Month, we decided to end it with a very important discussion about issues affecting young people.
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“The youth were very vocal and shared practical ideas on how technology can be used to assist them.
“Young men also said they want to be involved in preventing unwanted pregnancies and to take responsibility for their lives and futures. They are calling for more initiatives that will make contraceptives easier to access, including vending machines at venues frequently visited by young people,” Biyela said.
KwaZulu-Natal Civil Society Forum Youth Sector chairperson Ntokozo Tono said the dialogue was particularly significant as South Africa marks 50 years since the 1976 Soweto Uprising.
“The youth fought for their future then, and today’s generation must also be included in decisions that affect their lives,” he said.
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Dr Samukele Khumalo Dludla of the Provincial Council on Aids, who attended from the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s Office, said government remained committed to supporting young people through health and education initiatives.
“We have just launched Lenacapavir, an injection that prevents HIV infection for six months, which is a major step forward in HIV prevention among young people.
“There are also programmes through the Premier’s Office, including bursaries for learners who aspire to become pilots,” Dludla said.
However, some of the biggest challenges facing young people in the province remain teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence and the use of cultural or religious practices to conceal incidents of rape and abuse.
She added that addressing these challenges required support from families, communities and government.
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Youth participants Bandile Nxumalo (21), Samkelo Ngubo (23) and Present Magubane (24) echoed concerns about rising substance abuse, school dropout rates and teenage pregnancies, saying these issues continued to limit opportunities for many young people across KZN.