Family Development Initiatives (FDI) Choma District Coordinator, Sheikh Saiti Maida, is concerned over the significant number of early and unintended pregnancies (EUP) among pupils.
He said official statistics reveal that there were 3,500 cases of EUP from 2023 to the first quarter of 2024.
Sheikh Maida acknowledged the support from UNESCO, the Swedish and Zambian Governments, which enabled FDI to conduct sensitization programs for 3,000 individuals in Choma on ending EUP.
“FDI, an Islamic faith-based organization with an interfaith approach, has been actively involved in community outreach. Our efforts focus on governance, accountability, reproductive health rights, rural entrepreneurship, and climate change,” he said.
The Religious Leader said since its establishment in Choma in 2021, FDI has worked towards empowering families and communities to be dignified, skilled, self-reliant, and prosperous.
“One of our notable achievements is the ‘Let’s Talk EUP Programme,’ which has sponsored the education of five adolescent mothers, allowing them to return to school. In the area of rural entrepreneurship development, FDI has facilitated access to CDF skills training bursaries for 85 youths, with the first group having graduated in various trades. Recently, FDI completed the ‘Let’s Talk EUP Programme’ on Choma Maanu Radio Station, reaching out to 3,000 rural listeners through five Radio Listening Clubs,” he said.
Sheikh Maida emphasized the need for collaborative efforts from parents, civil society organizations, and the government to combat EUP effectively.
