Comprehensive health options through innovative community engagement

This project aims to increase bodily autonomy agency and enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) by those experiencing poverty marginalization and vulnerability. It particularly focuses on women girls adolescents and persons of diverse sexual orientation gender identity gender expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). Project activities include: (1) training and supporting facilitators and educators to raise awareness on SRHR which intends to increase uptake of and help safeguard health services during emergencies; (2) developing SRHR training materials for healthcare service providers including community healthcare workers; (3) providing technical assistance to health systems to review and update abortion guidelines and protocols; (4) training and sensitizing healthcare service providers on gender-responsive and youth friendly services for safe abortion; and (5) providing technical support to women’s rights organizations and youth-led organizations on coordination and mobilization for SRHR advocacy.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) strengthened agency of women girls adolescents and persons of diverse SOGIESC and other marginalized groups in exercising their sexual and reproductive health and rights. This to adopt healthy behaviours and practices in Malawi Zambia and Zimbabwe; (2) Improved access to comprehensive gender-responsive youth-centered sexual and reproductive health services in these countries; and (3) enhanced social actions of civil society organizations particularly women’s rights organizations and youth-led organizations. This to promote equal protection of SRHR with government and key stakeholders (youth-led groups and persons of diverse SOGIESC rights groups) in Malawi Zambia and Zimbabwe.