Sexual reproductive well being rights challenge affects 200,000 other folks in two areas – Life Pulse Daily

Introduction

In a landmark achievement for youth health in Ghana, the Youth For Health program has successfully reached over 200,000 young people across the Northern and Upper East Regions. This three-year initiative, focused on sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), has transformed access to vital information and services for a demographic often marginalized in healthcare discussions.

The program, implemented by MSI Reproductive Choices Ghana (MSIG) and Youth Advocates Ghana (YAG) with funding from the European Union and support from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), has significantly improved the sexual health landscape for young people in 11 districts across two regions.

Key Points

Background

The SRHR Challenge in Northern Ghana

The Northern and Upper East Regions of Ghana face significant challenges in sexual and reproductive health, particularly among young people. These challenges stem from deeply entrenched socio-cultural norms and customs that often restrict open discussions about sexuality and reproductive health.

Young people in these regions face multiple barriers:

• Limited access to healthcare facilities
• Cultural taboos surrounding discussions of sexuality
• Lack of comprehensive sex education
• Inadequate youth-friendly health services
• High rates of early pregnancies and maternal mortality

Global Context

Ghana was one of six countries selected for this initiative, alongside Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Sierra Leone. The selection was based on the significant need for improved youth SRHR services and the potential for meaningful impact in these regions.

Analysis

Why the Northern Regions Were Chosen

Abukari Abdul-Mumin, Programmes Manager at MSIG, explained the strategic decision to focus on Northern Ghana: “While young people across Ghana face SRHR challenges, those in the northern part of the country experience more profound difficulties due to entrenched socio-cultural norms and customs.”

The region’s limited healthcare infrastructure, coupled with cultural barriers that prevent open discussions about reproductive health, made it an ideal location for implementing a comprehensive youth-focused program.

Impact Assessment

The Youth For Health program has demonstrated significant success in multiple areas:

• Service Accessibility: The establishment of 26 adolescent corners has created safe spaces where young people can access non-judgmental, rights-based sexual health services without mingling with adults.
• Healthcare Quality: Training 240 healthcare providers in youth-friendly services has improved the quality of care available to young people.
• Education Integration: Training 174 teachers to integrate SRHR topics into school curricula ensures that accurate information reaches students through formal education channels.
• Community Engagement: The program has successfully engaged communities through peer educators and champions, creating a supportive environment for youth SRHR.

Sustainability and Continuity

The program’s approach of training peer educators and community champions ensures that knowledge and advocacy continue beyond the program’s duration. By empowering young people to become educators and advocates themselves, the initiative creates a sustainable model for continued SRHR education and service delivery.

Practical Advice

For Healthcare Providers

• Create youth-friendly spaces in healthcare facilities
• Provide non-judgmental, confidential services to young clients
• Stay updated on youth-friendly service delivery best practices
• Collaborate with schools and community organizations

For Educators

• Integrate comprehensive sexuality education into school curricula
• Create safe spaces for students to discuss SRHR topics
• Collaborate with healthcare providers for guest lectures and workshops
• Support school health and wellness clubs

For Community Leaders

• Support youth-led initiatives and advocacy
• Promote open discussions about sexual and reproductive health
• Encourage parents to talk to their children about SRHR
• Advocate for improved youth health services in your community

For Young People

• Seek accurate information about sexual and reproductive health from trusted sources
• Utilize youth-friendly health services when available
• Participate in school health and wellness clubs
• Share accurate information with peers
• Advocate for better youth health services in your community

FAQ

Conclusion

The Youth For Health program represents a significant step forward in addressing sexual and reproductive health rights for young people in Northern Ghana. By focusing on youth empowerment, community engagement, and service accessibility, the program has created a sustainable model for improving youth health outcomes.

The success of this initiative demonstrates that when young people are treated as active agents of change rather than passive recipients of services, meaningful and lasting improvements in sexual and reproductive health can be achieved. The program’s comprehensive approach—addressing infrastructure, training, education, and community engagement—provides a blueprint for similar initiatives in other regions facing similar challenges.

As Ghana continues to work toward improving youth health outcomes, the lessons learned from the Youth For Health program will be invaluable in shaping future policies and programs aimed at empowering young people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.