Disseminating knowledge about reproductive health for adolescents is integrated into school activities (photo: A Luoi Ethnic Minority Secondary School)

When she first heard about reproductive health (RH) knowledge for adolescents, Pham Thi Than (16 years old, Thuong Long commune, Phu Loc district) expressed her shyness. However, after many times of being exposed to SR knowledge in club activities at school and in class, Pham Thi Than has equipped herself with useful knowledge and is more confident when talking about these issues. "I know what SR rights are, the sexual health of adolescents, the right toeducation , and protection from abuse and violence. Thanks to this knowledge, I am not only confident in speaking up against wrongdoings, but also have directions for my future," Than confided.

At school, Le Thi Thao Mai, grade 9, A Luoi Ethnic Boarding Secondary School, also regularly learns and is equipped with knowledge about reproductive health for minors. “When I boldly learn, I not only gain more knowledge but also gain more skills to take care of my own reproductive health, knowing how to stay away from social evils. Like my friends, when learning about this content, I know how to select information, receive the right things to help myself limit risks,” Thao Mai shared.

Young people - especially adolescents - are affected in many ways by the rapid development of the Internet. Raising awareness to keep them safe in cyberspace is extremely important. Cyberspace actively supports the communication of reproductive health for adolescents and young adults. However, this environment, when not strictly controlled, is a "dark door" leading children to the "adult world " when children themselves are not equipped with knowledge about the consequences of early sex, unsafe sex and the serious consequences of unwanted pregnancy...

According to information from the City's Population and Development Steering Committee, the rate of early marriage and incestuous marriage in Phu Loc and A Luoi has decreased to 2.29% (exceeding the set plan).

The City's Population and Development Steering Committee has been promoting reproductive health care for adolescents. In particular, commune-level health stations have coordinated with local schools to organize health check-ups for 9,738 adolescents and young people. Coordinated with the A Luoi District Health Center to organize 2 training courses to provide information on management and operation skills of the Pre-marital Health Club and reproductive health care for adolescents and young people for the Club's Executive Board and new club members deployed at Tran Hung Dao Secondary School; A Roang Secondary School of A Luoi District. Coordinated with the Phu Loc District Health Center (2 clusters), A Luoi (1 cluster) to set up propaganda panels to prevent and combat "Early marriage and consanguineous marriage". Coordinated with city-level agencies, departments and branches to communicate about ways to care for reproductive health of adolescents and young people; about safe sex... for students of the City Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, A Luoi District Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities, Truong Son Secondary and High School (A Luoi) and Phu Loc District Boarding School for Ethnic Minorities.

Ms. Tran Thi Kim Loan, President of the City Women's Union, said: To help ethnic minority children be better protected against the risks of abuse, reduce the risk of dropping out of school and realize their reproductive health rights, the City Women's Union has been organizing many activities in coordination with school authorities, organizing training courses for teachers in charge of youth union and team work at schools on children's rights. Organizing 6 dialogues between local government leaders and parents of children, supporting the establishment of "Children's Rights" clubs; organizing community exchanges for children to disseminate knowledge and skills on children's rights and reproductive health rights; Organize 12 training courses for parents of vulnerable children on the necessary skills to protect themselves, take care of reproductive health, and communication activities, exchange and share experiences on reproductive health care, prevent abuse, reduce child marriage and incestuous marriage... When children have practical knowledge about children's rights to reproductive health, reproductive health care skills will help them speak up, protect themselves from the risks of violence, abuse and limit risks.

Thao Vy