Phiri champions contraceptive awareness among tertiary students.
By Michael Martin//MALAWI
Relentless health rights campaigner, Meryl Phiri has underscored the importance of contraceptive methods among tertiary students, describing them as a vital step towards empowering young people to take charge of their futures.
Phiri emphasized that access to reliable contraceptive options not only helps prevent unintended pregnancies but also enables students particularly young women to stay focused on their education and long term aspirations.
“When students have control over their reproductive health, they are better positioned to pursue their academic and career goals without unnecessary interruptions,” she said.
Phiri further pointed out that awareness and education around contraceptives are still limited in some tertiary institutions, leading to misconceptions and stigma.
She called upon both government and non-governmental organizations to intensify sexual and reproductive health campaigns in universities and colleges.
According to her, such efforts can help normalize conversations about contraception, making it easier for students to seek the right information and services without fear of judgment or discrimination.
Adding her voice to the discussion, Falth Chikhaka a student at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), shared her personal experience on how contraceptives have positively impacted her life.
“I decided to start using contraceptives in my second year and it has helped me plan my time and priorities better.
“I no longer live in fear of unexpected pregnancy, and that has given me peace of mind to focus entirely on my studies,” Chikhaka testified.
She encouraged her peers to consider contraceptive methods as a responsible step toward self-empowerment rather than a taboo subject.
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