Free contraceptives for teens spark debate in Namibia
THE decision by BeFree Namibia to provide free intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCDs) and implants to women, including children as young as 16-years-old, has sparked debate.
Former minister of health and social services Dr Richard Kamwi questions the wisdom of offering such services to minors without what he describes as adequate awareness and guidance.
“For me, it’s about preventative measures. People have to be educated on why contraceptives are necessary. There’s a lack of awareness, especially among young people,” Kamwi says.
He told The Namibian yesterday that contraceptives should be understood primarily as preventive tools against unplanned pregnancies.
He added that this is not about rejecting contraceptives.
“It’s about ensuring young people understand what they are choosing and why,” he said.
BeFree Namibia, a youth-focused organisation under the One Economy Foundation, recently took to social media to announce its contraceptive drive targeting women aged 16 to 35.
The campaign provides free IUCDs and implants at the BeFree Youth Clinic in Windhoek.
Kamwi, who served as health minister from 2005 to 2015, said he does not support this procedure.
“I do not know why they are doing such a thing. It is not wise, especially for 16-year-olds. The Khomas region specifically does not even have a high pregnancy rate; you cannot compare it to the Kavango West, Kavango East, Omaheke, Ohangwena and Kunene regions,” he stressed.
Human rights activist Rosa Namises has expressed concern over the administration of long-term contraceptives to young women in their prime reproductive ages without adequate information and education, warning that informed consent must be prioritised before any medical intervention.
“It really takes me back to when I was 35. We were never properly informed about what we were putting into our bodies. People want to control our bodies without telling us the full story,” she says.
Namises says many women, particularly in earlier decades, were given contraceptive injections without being told about the potential side effects.
“It was only later when we started asking questions that we realised the complications,” she adds.
According to former minister of health and medical doctor Kalumbi Shangula, there are no regulations that specifically govern the distribution of contraceptives in Namibia.
“I’m not aware of any regulations that specifically govern the distribution of contraceptives to such young individuals.
When I hear about contraceptives, my first thought is around preventive measures primarily related to HIV-AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, not just pregnancy prevention,” he says.
He emphasises that while contraceptives are important, they should not be administered without proper education.
“People need to understand why they are using contraceptives. Education and awareness are essential. It’s not enough to simply offer these services, especially not to young people without explaining their purpose and the potential effects,” Shangula says.
Befree Namibia director of health and wellness Veronica Theron says the focus of the #BeFree initiative is expanding free sexual and reproductive health services and education for young people, especially those in underprivileged communities.
“For now the focus is the Khomas region. We are already busy in the Omusati and Ohangwena regions and then we are planning to go to Zambezi and the two Kavangos,” she says.
Theron says the initiative provides services to young people, including access to medical doctors, psychologists, social workers, and support for gender-based violence, substance abuse and challenges faced by young people.
The focus was on contraceptive implants and IUCDs; Theron says this was informed by a survey conducted by young people in the Khomas region.
“Before opening the clinic, we surveyed what it is that young people prefer and what the government does not always provide. The implant and IUCD were among the preferred options,” she says.
Theron says the training sessions are designed for approximately 50 women and girls. However, the mobile outreach initiatives, facilitated by a mobile van, have the capacity to serve between 250 to 500 individuals per event.
Gynecologists and medical professionals from private practices have partnered with the #BeFree Youth Campus to provide care on an availability basis, often during specially designated open days.
Theron emphasises that the procedures will not be forced on women. The procedures are voluntary and the open days serve as educational opportunities.
“It’s not just a matter of showing up and getting a procedure. It’s a full day that includes breakfast, education and the women decide whether they want to follow through with the procedure or not. Doctors are there, it’s not a hasty procedure,” she says.
SUSTAINABLE APPROACH
Registered nurse and former member of parliament Juliet Kavetuna says the #BeFree initiative is providing a more sustainable contraceptive solution for young women, especially when clinics run out of pills and other methods of contraceptive.
“When you go back to the clinic after three months, you might find that there are no contraceptives available, and you may become a victim of unintended pregnancy. The #BeFree approach offers a longer-term, secure contraceptive option,” she says.
Kavetuna adds that the contraceptive implant and other long-acting devices last approximately three and five years, respectively, reducing the need for frequent clinic visits.
She emphasises that education on sexually transmitted infections such as HIV-AIDS, the human papillomavirus and other infections must be prioritised for everyone engaging in sexual activities.
“This injectable method is not new, but it resonates more with younger generations, something the organisation has clearly understood,” she says.
REDUCING USER DEPENDENCY
Obstetrician and gynecologist Dr Simasiku Sichimwa says contraceptive implants are ideal for teenagers, as they are long-acting and require less user dependability than IUCDs.
“The implant is probably better than IUCD for teenagers because most of them don’t have children. So they are good for them because they are long acting but reversible,” he says.
He adds that if complications ensue, implants can be easily removed and carry minimal risk of long-term reproductive issues.
“The benefits far outweigh the risks. The consequence of not using contraception could be falling pregnant at 17. Each person is fully evaluated before being offered a method because it’s not a one-size-fits-all,” he says.
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