The ManicaPost
Prayer Muronzerei
Post Reporter
IN a move aimed at addressing juvenile delinquency, the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) has established an interactive online platform targeting youths to assist them in tackling and coping with the challenges they face daily.
ZNFPC provincial manager, Mr Dyson Masvingise, said they have noted with concern the increasing cases of juvenile delinquency and this has prompted them to be involved in facilitating interaction between the youths and peer educators.
Mr Masvingise said they will be engaging young people on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and WhatsAspp.
“We came up with this initiative after realising that many youths were grappling with dealing with social issues and they needed help. Substance abuse and youths’ involvement in sexual activities are becoming rampant among them and threatening to ruin their health and lives. This may inevitably lead to deviant behaviour and criminal tendencies, which we need to prevent.
“This online initiative will, therefore, encourage interaction between young people, professional counsellors and peer educators to help them get by. We are also urging parents to monitor their children, monitor their activities and watch the company they keep,” said Mr Masvingise.
On the online platform, Mr Masvingise said, issues surrounding reproductive health, sexual indulgence, teenage pregnancies, STIs, HIV and Aids as well as drug, alcohol and substance abuse will be discussed.
Mr Masvingise said they have joined hands with other stakeholders and organisations like Family Aids Caring Trust (FACT), Plan and Population International to ensure that the programmes work effectively and bring the desired results.
