According to a statement from the municipal administration of Viana, to which VerAngola had access, the project, called 'Meninas Primeiro', is geared towards "educating and empowering adolescents on self-knowledge", and "aims primarily to raise awareness among young women on crucial issues, such as early pregnancy, menstruation and contraceptive methods".
"The initiative aims to promote sexual education and reproductive health among adolescents, encouraging informed choices and the healthy development of young people", the statement also states.
According to Angop, the initiative will be launched within the next few days. Although there is still no specific date for its launch in Viana – a municipality chosen because of its high birth rate and population density –, the initiative will have the motto "No to early pregnancy".
Created by Teresa Sara, the project has the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the French Embassy in Angola, the Miss Angola International Committee, the Municipal Administration of Viana, as well as Textang II, which will provide the fabrics to produce the reusable pads, which are one of the items to be distributed within the scope of the project.
For Teresa Sara, it is important that adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 take control of their own bodies, given that early pregnancy can be dangerous, and she informed that the campaign will be implemented through lectures, distribution of leaflets, bracelets indicating the menstrual period, as well as the distribution of reusable pads to adolescents in vulnerable situations.
According to Miss Angola International, the initiative will be extended to other municipalities in the capital and other provinces of the country, lasting one year, so that girls have precise knowledge about their menstruation and can focus on their studies, contributing to national progress, writes Angop.
On the occasion, Paulo Maka Zadi, assistant administrator for the Political and Social sector of Viana, took the opportunity to thank the fact that Viana was elected to launch the initiative, highlighting that it is a municipality where "the majority of the population is young and birth rate is high", and added that with regard to public health services, Viana has 130 births per day, therefore, the initiative will contribute to the dissemination of correct data with the aim of preventing teenage pregnancy.
