CHOICE PROJECT LAUNCHED TO BOOST SRHR FOR WOMEN AND ADOLESCENTS.

The Ministry of Health, in partnership with Oxfam Zambia, has launched a 30 million United States Dollars Comprehensive Health Options through Community Engagement (CHOICE) Project, aimed at strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for women and adolescents in the country.

The seven-year programme, running from 2025 to 2031, is funded by the Government of Canada and will be implemented by Oxfam Zambia in collaboration with partners including IPAS, Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia, and the Young Women Christian Association, among others.

Speaking at the launch, Ministry of Health Director of Public Health Matilda Simpungwe says the programme comes at a time when the country is experiencing alarming levels of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, particularly among adolescents.

Ms Simpungwe noted that adolescents aged 15 to 17 years are increasingly sexually active, but face significant gaps in access to youth friendly health services and contraceptives, exposing them to unintended pregnancies.

Meanwhile, Canadian High Commission Chargé d’Affaires Corry Gaal said the CHOICE Project will directly respond to challenges in expanding access to accurate SRHR information, addressing harmful gender norms and supporting women-led community programmes.