Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Within its work on gender equality and women’s health, SAHAYOG recognizes that young people of Uttar Pradesh face high risks for their reproductive and sexual health, making it imperative that they should have access to information and services for their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Towards this, SAHAYOG has initiated a programme called “Youth for Change”.

The programme in partnership with 11 NGOs, located in 10 districts, will strengthen a network of over 100 youth groups, compromised of over 1000 youth members. “Youth for Change” activities will prepare youth leaders to join with adult stakeholders to form a Youth Policy Network (YPN) for building and sustaining advocacy efforts towards a comprehensive SRHR policy for youth at the state level.

Objectives

Youth for Change is a youth-led social change initiative that aims to provide communities of youth with…

• comprehensive information on their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)

• necessary space and a rights based framework within which they can exercise choice and consent, without discrimination on grounds of gender, caste, class or sexuality

• capacities to take on local leadership roles and participate effectively in advocating for youth friendly services and youth centred policy-making

Activities

SAHAYOG builds capacities of partner NGO staff to work with youth groups and also provides technical support in the field. The programme also engages with diverse stakeholders and gate-keepers (like NGOs, educational institutions, parents, health service providers, media, elected representatives, and political groups) to build their support for youth SRHR. The youth groups participate in campaigns, as well as hold regular meetings during which they learn important SRHR information and develop advocacy skills. Meetings are a safe and open environment for building awareness and answering questions about SRHR issues.