OBJECTIVES

To strengthen commitment to and support for the sexual and reproductive health and rights and needs of adolescents/young people

To promote participation of young people in governance and in the identification, development and management of programs that affect them

To increase access to comprehensive, youth friendly, gender sensitive sexuality education

To increase access to a broad range of youth friendly services

To reduce gender related barriers and practices which affect the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young women

CHALLENGES

There are high rates of unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, STIs, HIV/AIDS, and sexual abuse among young people, young women in particular

Existing Sexual and Reproductive Health Programs do not address the needs of pre-teens; they reach young people with too little information too late.

Girls and young women in particular are faced with many socio-cultural, economic and political pressures and barriers which disproportionately affect their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The sexual and reproductive health and rights of young people are not integrated into the wider development agenda.

Adults are often ill equipped to communicate on sexuality-related issues with young people.