SYP Safeguard Young People in Eastern African countries
The SYP program contributes to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of young people, thus reducing gender based health inequities. It supports the adoption, domestication and implementation of policies, and strengthens young people’s competencies on and access to SRHR services. The expansion to Tanzania and Rwanda leverages on the experience in Southern Africa financed by SDC, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s thematic expertise and convening power.
Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
---|---|---|---|
Mozambique Rwanda Southern and Eastern Africa Tanzania |
Health Gender nothemedefined
Reproductive health & rights
Sexual & gender-based violence Sexually transmitted diseases incl. HIV/AIDS |
01.03.2021
- 28.02.2024 |
CHF 8’350’000
|
- Other Academic Research North
- United Nations Population Fund
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation POPULATION POLICIES/PROGRAMMES & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
POPULATION POLICIES/PROGRAMMES & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Reproductive health care
Ending violence against women and girls
STD control including HIV/AIDS
Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
Project and programme contribution
Project number 7F10673
Background | With estimated 22.6 million adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years living in Rwanda and Tanzania, addressing the many risks and vulnerabilities they face, in particular around sexual and reproductive health and rights, is critical for attaining the Demographic Dividend. Poverty, income and gender inequality expose young women and girls to unprotected sexual intercourse, increasing their risks of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, early and unintended pregnancies. Adolescent birth rates remain high (41 and 139 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 19 for Rwanda and Tanzania respectively). Even if countries have legislations and policies on the management of pregnancy and re-entry to school for girls, they often appear punitive. On top of this, the COVID-19 pandemic has further disrupted access to essential sexual and reproductive health services, making existing inequalities for women and girls, young people and other marginalized groups, worse. New and proven strategies must be developed, implemented and scaled up to ensure continuation of, among others, sexual and reproductive health services and information for all and in particular for adolescents and young people, while addressing the pandemic. With its progressive position and being one of the few donors engaged on SRHR in countries, Switzerland can convey credible messages and advocacy in bilateral and global fora. |
Objectives | By 2023, the health and wellbeing of adolescents and young people aged 10-24 in Tanzania and Rwanda are improved and maximised, with a special focus on girls and young women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. |
Target groups |
Primary target group is all adolescents and young people (10-24) in Tanzania and Rwanda, with special focus on young women and girls (approx. 22.6 million people). Secondary target group is change agents who are involved in youth programmes (lines ministries, regional economic communities, East African Legislative Assembly, teachers, young workers, service providers, youth peer educators, religious & local traditional leaders, media, youth leaders, policymakers, law enforcement agents, and parents). |
Medium-term outcomes |
1. Strengthened enabling environment: Inclusive policies, legislations and accountability mechanisms promote and protect adolescents and youth’s rights at regional, national and sub-national levels with a focus on sexual and reproductive health rights. 2. Strengthened demand through empowerment: Adolescents and young people have utilized knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and positive actions about their body, their life and their world. 3. Strengthened delivery: Equitable access to quality and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender-based violence and HIV integrated service has increased. |
Results |
Expected results: -Strengthened capacity of regional and national institutions for a conducive legal and policy environment, including accountability mechanisms. -Empowered adolescents and youth’s serving institutions and networks advocate and effectively participate in international, regional and national decision-making and accountability mechanisms. -Strengthened capacity of regional and national institutions to design and implement quality, evidence-based, and gender sensitive sexual and reproductive health & rights, gender based violence and HIV programmes for in and out of school youth. -Strengthened capacity of institutions to deliver proven and tailored quality social behaviour change communication interventions to generate adolescents and young people’s demand for integrated sexual and reproductive health & rights, gender based violence and HIV information and services. Results from previous phases: (from SYP implemented in Southern Africa) -Several legal and policy instruments developed and utilized by countries (ex. Southern African Development Community model law on eradicating child marriage and protecting married children). -12’843 youth network members trained in advocacy for sexual & reproductive health and rights, and youth development. -57’802 teachers trained in comprehensive sexuality education. -17’272’421 young people reached through comprehensive sexuality education programmes. -9’476 pre-service and in-service providers trained in adolescent/youth friendly health services delivery. -6’497’364 adolescents and young people reached with sexual & reproductive health and HIV services. -695 health service delivery points offering standard packages of youth friendly services. -Tune Me mobisite (adopted by 7 countries and integrated in UNFPA m-health portfolio globally). |
Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
Project partners |
Contract partner Foreign academic and research organisation United Nations Organization (UNO) |
Coordination with other projects and actors | SYP in Southern Africa, regional and country specific UNFPA and other Youth Programs, SDC Global Programs, Swiss Cooperation Office in Harare, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) |
Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 8’350’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 7’467’452 Total project since first phase Budget inclusive project partner CHF 40’000’000 |
Project phases |
Phase
2
01.01.2024
- 31.12.2026
(Current phase)
Phase 1 01.03.2021 - 28.02.2024 (Completed) |