Adolescent Reproductive Health Working Group

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Adolescent Reproductive Health Working Group

• IAWG 8-10 October 2007
• Nairobi, Kenya

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4.1 Advocate for better youth Programming

• Policy Development work with Government to
  develop an ARH policy
• Kenya established an Adolescent RH policy in May
  2003 through efforts of Civil society actors
• South Africa has a strong ARH policy. Also just
  passed Childrens Act, moving age of majority
  from 21 to 18
• Sudan has no RH policy
• Rwanda has strong policy environment for RH, but
  not ARH
• Pakistan has a RH policy but it does not address
  Adolescent RH
• Thailand has a RH policy for youth from late
  90s, but Refugees are not covered
• Emancipated minors - child head of household,
  young mothers, early marriage. Common in
  displaced populations and what are the
  implications for giving care and services.

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4.2 Disseminate Guidelines and Tools

• There are existing guidelines that we can borrow
  from
• Some examples
• WHO documents STI among Adolescents, Sex without
  consent
• FHI published criteria for effective Peer
  Educator guidelines
• FHI Guidance for Youth Friendly services and
  Youth.net (FHI)
• Tools on RHRC website
• Method of information sharing IAFM Adolescent
  Working Group is compiling ARH resources onto a
  CD and will also post on website.

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4.3 Support Youth Involvement Research Studies

• Some of the research studies that are currently
  taking place should be put on the agenda for next
  years IAWG
• Current Research Examples
• SA - Modifying the CDC Risk Reduction Model for
  VCT
• Thailand survey of male and female adolescents
  target groups based on GEM scale
• Future Research Questions
• Look at the characteristics in determinates of
  the non-conflict environment and a conflict
  environment and how to move a child through that
  transition in a healthy way.
• Construct of masculinity and the influence of
  conflict and/or displacement on that construct.
  The displaced setting has another set of
  expectations on male and female behavior.
• Positive deviance (resilience)
• Need to be linking research with policy advocacy
• Advocates need research to move their agenda and
  also to guide programming

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4.4 Networking with other youth-serving
organizations

• Kenya Association of agencies working on ARH
• Rwanda No strong networks for specifically ARH
• Thailand ARH networks work well. Been in place
  for many years and very successful from the
  community standpoint, but not from a
  sustainability standpoint in terms of funding and
  support.
• South Africa Pediatrics network and researchers
  network, but on community level no successful
  network for NGO capacity. Consortiums where
  different organizations meet once a month.
• Sudan Coordination Meetings take place for
  health but no specific ARH.
• Action Point ARH should be on the agenda in
  Health Cord Meetings and RH Meetings in all
  countries

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4.5 Programming for youth in refugee situations

• Youth Programming reaching youth with
  preventions and education before sexual debut.
• Addressing gender roles, including meaningful
  involvement of young males in RH.
• BCCommunication using multiple channels of
  communication to reach out to young people. (Ex
  Soul City use of multiple media)
• Curriculum for in-school and out-of-school youth.
  And starting RH education at early age 10 years.
• Youth Center concept multi purpose center
  offers sports, vocational training, health, etc
• Improving parent-child communication. Including
  trainings for youth and parents/teachers.
• Youth Involvement in the design of programs
• Key to be build on existing community
  organizations in youth programming

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Way Forward in ARH

• ARH should be on the agenda in all country Health
  Cord Meetings and RH Meetings
• Research studies currently taking place should be
  put on the agenda for next years IAWG
• Use of term Adolescent (10-19 yrs) instead of
  youth, etc.
• ARH content and tools should be readily available
  to others - website, CD, etc.
• Group will stay connected via E-mail