During a Regional Youth‑Led Dialogue held at the Krachi East Municipal Assembly in Dambai, Oti Region youths called for stronger family involvement, better school support and improved handling of sexual and gender‑based violence (SGBV) cases. The meeting, organised by the LoveAid Foundation under the AfriYAN programme, brought together young people, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss practical solutions to the challenges facing the region’s youth.
Participants stressed that parents must play a more active role in guiding their children, urging families to create safe spaces for open discussions on sexuality and personal development rather than leaving such responsibilities solely to schools. They also urged traditional leaders to refer rape and defilement cases to state institutions instead of settling them through customary processes, ensuring survivors receive justice.
The dialogue further recommended regular SRHR and SGBV training for teachers, deployment of trained counsellors to basic schools, and increased vocational and practical skills training for young people, particularly in communities with high teenage pregnancy rates. Participants also advocated capacity‑building for Social Services Sub‑Committees, stronger referral systems for urgent cases and the promotion of cultural values through education and entertainment to encourage responsible behaviour among young people.
The meeting ended with a renewed call for coordinated action by parents, schools, traditional authorities, social services, policymakers and the youth to tackle SRHR and SGBV challenges in the Oti Region.
