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Herald Reporter

A state-of-the-art studio complemented with a virtual conference room and a call centre for youths to amplify their voices in sexual reproductive rights and public health issues has been opened in Harare courtesy of the Swedish Embassy.

Opening the studio at ‘SAYWHAT’ organisation’s premises in Harare yesterday, Deputy Head of Mission at the Swedish Embassy in Zimbabwe, Bethellote Kaboru, said the Covid-19 induced lockdowns call for the embracing of information communication technology tools for public health awareness programmes.

“The embassy of Sweden in Harare supported SAYWHAT to establish this studio to afford young people a home of their own in as far as pursuing their sexual and reproductive health rights is concerned precisely through virtual programming,” he said.

Mr Kaboru said innovation was one of the ways to adapt to the pandemic as a tool to continue providing reliable, trusted and usable data.

“My hope is to see this studio being used to amplify the young people’s voices their demands and their talents. The studio has potential to create many ideas, concepts and social justice templates,” he said.

Mr Kaboru said innovation should be used for young people to engage and not only as beneficiaries but as partners and leaders in matters that affect their well-being.

‘SAYWHAT’ executive director Jimmy Wilford said as young people’s access to public health services has now become a challenge due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the new facilities will help reach out to everyone.

“Production, packaging and dissemination of public health information to young people require the exploitation of technology and all its infrastructure. The idea of this studio came to break SAYWHAT’s traditional way of doing things,” he said.

“We have observed that production, packaging and distribution of public health information is more doable at home than abroad,” he said.

Mr Wilford thanked the Swedish embassy for granting them the support.