IMPHAL, Aug 14 : A new website which deals with issues and problems related with sexual reproductive health right of youngsters between 14 and 28 years of age was launched today.To mark launching of the website, a function was organised at Manipur Press Club under the joint aegis of SASO, AHSHA and FDDUO with support from the HIV/AIDS Alliance India.
The function was graced by NYKS Manipur Zonal Director Jackei Ruivah as chief guest, MACS (IEC) Deputy Director Dr RK Rosie as guest of honour and SASO General Secretary Y Sashikumar as president.
After launching the website www.sasoactionproject.org, Jackei Ruivah said that youth should be allowed to narrate their personnel experiences about their problems and issues as well as their wishes and aspirations before formulating any youth policy.
If the youth policy is formulated based on the needs and problems of youth, such policy would be beneficial to the targeted group and it would easier to implement.
Now that the website has been launched, youngsters can express all their problems, wishes, aspirations and suggestions without any difficulty. In this way, policy makers would find a lot easier to understand problems as well as aspirations of the youth, said Jackei Ruivah.
Dr RK Rosie said that the Manipuri society is oblivious to most of the problems and issues being endured by youngsters.
Very little has been taught about their sexual reproductive health rights and youngsters often find themselves bereft of adequate knowledge about the subject.
Almost all the hospitals in Manipur have no facility for youngsters to consult experts/doctors about their sexual reproductive health which means youngsters are facing lots of problems and difficulties.
Appreciating the initiative to open adolescent friendly health clinics under the National Rural Health Mission, Rosie said that the website launched today would go a long way in addressing the problems being encountered by the youth.
Y Sashikumar said that there is no comprehensive youth policy either at the State level or the national level.
For the State of Manipur, Youth Affairs and Sports Department has been working to frame a youth policy but the issue of sexual reproductive health right is out of the ambit of this policy.
Underscoring the huge roles of youth in any nation, Sashikumar called upon all to guide the youngsters on the right path.
~Sangai Express
