| 02.08.2022
Out & About in Malawi

HEARD, together with colleagues at the Centre for Reproductive Health & Department of Public Health, University of Malawi and the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Kenya are jointly collaborating on a study assessing the delivery of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and broader sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to adolescents in Malawi. Key informant interviews with stakeholders representing various government ministries, non-governmental organisations, development partners and community, religious and traditional leaders have been undertaken throughout 2021 and 2022. On the 25th of July 2022 the study partners invited key stakeholders to a validation meeting which was held at Umodzi Park in Lilongwe, Malawi. The meeting provided an opportunity for the study partners to highlight initial findings and openly engage around the political, religious and cultural dynamics that has shaped the narrative around CSE, whilst exploring how the socio-political context is affecting the delivery of SRH services to adolescents.
Present at the meeting was Principal Investigators Prof Gavin George from HEARD, and Prof Adamson Muula from University of Malawi, Dr Anthony Ajayi from APHRC and representatives from the Malawian government including Ministries of Health and Education, UNFPA, National AIDS Commission, Traditional and Religious Authorities, NGOs including the Centre for the Development of People (CEDEP), Plan International Malawi, SRHR Africa Trust, and youth lead organisations including Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO) and HER Liberty Malawi.