Social behavior change and positive norm building are critical components of building a healthy and safe society. Young people are the future and empowering them with the right knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is essential.
Impact Health Organization (IHO) and its partners, Shabab le Shabab, YEO, AfriYAN, and YAP, organized a "Spread the Love" Valentine's Day event in Juba City funded by UNFPA South Sudan. The goal was to reach out to over 400 young stakeholders and spread messages about SRHR and gender-based violence (GBV). The event was not just informative;
The "Spread the Love" Valentine's Day event was not just an event; it was also entertaining, with music, art performances taking center stage, and a movement towards positive change in Juba City. The event empowered young people with the right knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The music and art performances, as well as the informative panel discussions, left a lasting impact on the young people who attended the event.
(UNFPA Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Ms. Lydia Zigomo having joyful moments with young girls during the event.)
Ms. Lydia Zigomo, Regional Director for UNFPA East and Southern Africa ignited the young people into total excitement and invited the young girls for a social dance. She further alluded that
“The future of South Sudan lies in the hands of the young people as they compose the biggest percentage of the population of this country. Make the right decisions for your health and be agents of peace for the good of South Sudan and Africa as a whole” she advised.
Vicky Marvel, a visually impaired artist, proved that disability should never be a hindrance to universal access to safe and quality SRHR/GBV services. Her musical lyrics were inspirational – discouraged GBV and child marriage. Her performance was so touching and left the young people pledging to take up the messages positively and become ambassadors of positive SRHR.
Dr. Demola, South Sudan UNFPA country representative pledged UNFPA’s commitment to supporting access to and availability of quality youth friendly SRH services for youth, engage men, women, and people with disabilities in South Sudan without discrimination.
(UNFPA country representative Dr. Ademola Olajide giving his inspiration remark to young people during the event at Nyakuron cultural center-Juba City)
The event's table talk panelists were also exceptional, providing valuable information on body autonomy, positive masculinity, dos and don'ts of safe SRH practices, HIV/AIDS (STIs), mental health, and substance abuse. The interactive session was enlightening and left a lasting impact on the lives of the young people who attended the event.
As part of the event, IHO distributed over 108 menstrual sanitary pads to in-school, and out-of-school girls, including those in the orphanage. This gesture was a response to menstrual health management as a contributing factor to school dropouts among young girls in South Sudan and Africa at large. This act of kindness will not only ensure that girls can stay in school but also improve access to safe SRHR/GBV services by young people, enhancing positive norms towards girls and ending child marriage in our communities.
The Regional Director Ms Zigomo encouraged young people to take lead to seek and promote gender equality, prevent gender-based violence, not to accept child marriage but complete their education as the bright future lies in their hands, and strive for peace for a better South Sudan. The event was not only informative and empowering, but it was also heartwarming and touching.
