By Chisomo Phiri
President of the Association of Social Workers in Malawi (ASWiM), Chisangalalo Ntonio, has urged social workers to play a vital role in preventing teen pregnancies in the country.
He made the appeal in Blantyre on Tuesday during the graduation ceremony of social workers.
Ntonio said,29% of Malawi’s population growth is attributed to teen pregnancies,hence a need for social workers to prioritize sexual reproduction education and support young people.
“We must work together to address this critical issue, and I believe that social workers have the power to make a real difference in the lives of young people,” Ntonio said.
South African therapist and social worker Sheila Naran, who works with Valued Citizen Initiatives, attended the ceremony and praised the certification of the workers, describing it as a significant step forward in enhancing social work in the country.
“This training will enable social workers to provide comprehensive services to their clients, particularly in addressing teen pregnancies,” Naran said.
Michelle Mtilatila, a social work service practitioner, expressed enthusiasm for the training, stating that it will empower them to educate others on confidently expressing themselves regarding sexuality.
She said:”We are now better equipped to provide guidance and support to young people, helping them make informed decisions about their sexual health.” .
The graduation ceremony marked the completion of a comprehensive 7-week training program for 49 social workers, covering various aspects of human sexuality, including sexual reproduction, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections.
The training also focused on equipping social workers with necessary skills to provide counseling and support services to clients.
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