Zambia: Youth friendly safe spaces central to HIV prevention

Youth Friendly Safe Spaces have been described as central to HIV prevention, treatment support and Sexual reproductive health services for adolescents and young people.

Zambia’s young people aged 15-24 account for 38 percent of new infections with adolescent girls and young women facing three times the risk of contracting HIV than their male peers.

Speaking to Live News in an interview, Medical for Quality Healthcare in Zambia-MQHZ Director General Quince Mwabu observed that any disruption to these services threatens to reverse hard won progress and will widen gaps in access, reduce early HIV detection and undermine the support systems young people rely on.

Medical Research and access Platform-MedRap National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer-CEO Liyoka Liyoka noted that the suspension of the United States of America-USA Government's support from the Ministry of Health threatened the already struggling Youth Friendly spaces' sustainability.

Mr. Liyoka however acknowledged the Government's intervention through the 5 percent increase in the 2026 National Budget towards sustaining these spaces but feels this will not suffice the support that has been lost leaving the entire health sector vulnerable.

He adds that the Government is building maternity annexes across the country, but much emphasis must be placed on building and capacitating adolescent friendly spaces in these facilities.

Mr. Liyoka observed that adolescents are vulnerable to a lack of comprehension service delivery equal to their needs.

Written by Tetiwe Mweemba. This article, first published by Live Radio 97.3 FM, is part of the Media Parity Capacity Building Programme and republished as part of the programme series.