Assessment of Reproductive Health for IDPs
Angola, February 15-28, 2001
Reproductive Health & Adolescents
We did not find any programs designed to address the specific RH needs of the IDP youth in the provinces. In Luanda, however, the local International Planned Parenthood Federation affiliate Angobefa serves a young clientele and does outreach to youth in the schools. The limited services available to the IDPs are not "youth-friendly." Considering the very low quality and availability of services overall, youth-focused programming is considered to be an unaffordable luxury. There did not seem to be a very strong stigma attached to premarital sex but we were told that there is still an embarrassment associated with reproductive health services that discourages youth from accessing services in the youth centers where they are likely to see family members or neighbors.
Safe Motherhood
There is, as in most every part of the world, a very strong preference
for boy babies. In this setting the preference is due in part to
the forcible recruitment of young boys into the military (both UNITA
and MPLA). Once recruited and taken away
from their families, it is very unlikely they will be seen or heard
from again. This added preference for boys, contributes to the already
low status of girls. We saw many very young mothers in the maternities
having their 3rd or 4th child.
Family Planning
Unsafe abortion is said to be more common among young girls and
particularly in and around Luanda.
STDs/HIV
Youth tend to self-diagnose and treat without even visiting a health
facility. Some rely on traditional treatments that can cause serious
complications.
SGBV
Health staff said that reported cases of SGBV tend only to involve very young girls (7-12 years old) but rape and domestic violence are considered to be common.
| According to the Christian Children's Fund (CCF), Angola's children are especially vulnerable to psychological stress from exposure to ongoing violent conflict. CCF estimates that 82% of children in IDP camps have come under fire, more than 66% say they have seen people killed or tortured and 24% have lost a limb. 13 Therefore, psychological trauma is a significant issue among IDP youth (and surely IDPs of all ages) and one requiring much greater attention. |  |
13. United Nations Foundation, UN Wire, April 20, 2001,
