National Health Education, Information And Communication Center under the Ministry of Health and Population of Nepal; and with the support from USAID, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and GIZ launched a novel mHealth initiative called “m4ASRH” (Mobile for Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health).

Nepal’s youth is facing a number of issues related to sexual and reproductive health, including child marriage, gender-based violence, and unwanted or too-frequent pregnancies. The new initiative aims to improve knowledge and awareness on sexual and reproductive health among this group at an age when many become sexually active and are thinking of starting families.

The goal of the m4ASRH project is to increase the information about safe motherhood, family planning, sexual and gender-based violence, adolescents’ physical growth and development, consequences of child marriage and early pregnancy.

“This is one of our efforts to ensure that every adolescent and young person’s potential is fulfilled in order to reduce maternal mortality and morbidities as well as ensuring universal access to reproductive health,” the UNFPA Nepal chief said.

Giulia Vallese, Representative of UNFPA to Nepal, added that they are targeting to reach out to about 300,000 adolescents out of their 24% total population.

[Via: ekantipur.com]