Organizations mandated to promote health are advocating for condom accessibility in secondary schools.

This was disclosed, Thursday, during the launch of the new advocacy campaign to support youth reproductive health and their rights in the country.

The Advocacy and Communication Officer of Health Development Initiative (HDI-Rwanda), Christine Calouro, noted that they want to change the perception that condoms encourage promiscuity.

"We also want to overcome policy barriers to teaching safe sex including condom use so as to avoid unwanted pregnancies and HIV/AIDS among secondary school students,” Calouro said.

Another HDI official, Cassien Havugimana, said that they often get complaints from students regarding their inability to access condoms.

"We conceived the idea for this project following students’ complaints. For effectiveness, behavioral change education must accompany access to the materials needed for safe sex,” Havugimana noted.

A Member of Parliament, Theobald Mporanyi, called upon the media to raise awareness since they reach a wider population.

He told them to be the voices that will inform the Rwandans of how vital it is for secondary schools to have access to condoms, to avoid the consequences of unsafe sex.

According to a statement by the health organizations, youth in secondary schools continue to face difficulties in accessing condoms and contraceptives.

The Executive Secretary of Rwanda NGO’s Forum on HIV/AIDS and health promotion, Canut Dufitumukiza, noted that access to condoms in secondary schools is needed to prevent the spread of the scourge at a young age.

The organizations supporting the campaign include Rwanda NGOs Forum and Health Promotion, Association Ihorere Munyarwanda  and HDI-Rwanda.

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