Abstain from early sex and concentrate on education, youths told

By Staff Reporter, LIVINGSTONE 

First Lady Esther Lungu has urged youths to abstain from early sex and concentrate on their education.  

Speaking in Livingstone during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day held under the theme: `Zambia’s future: getting to zero new HIV infections’, Mrs Lungu also urged adults not sexually exploit adolescents. 

Mrs Lungu said she is saddened with reports of increased numbers of teen pregnancies, early marriages, sexual abuse and high rates of school drop-outs, especially among young girls. 

She lamented that last year, 16,000 girls dropped out of school, an indication that children are being exposed to unprotected sex and are potential candidates for new HIV infections and sexually transmitted diseases. 

Mrs Lungu has since called for behaviour and mindset change towards sex practices among the young and older generation.