Supporting the sexual and reproductive health of Indigenous women and adolescents in South America

This project aims to provide a structuring and transformative response to the challenges related to sexual and reproductive health and rights experienced by Indigenous women and adolescent girls in Bolivia Peru and Guatemala as a result of their gender and ethnicity. Project activities include: (1) increasing the adoption by and for Indigenous women and adolescent girls and their communities of innovative and culturally relevant solutions to directly impact the health inequalities they experience; (2) improving the provision of intercultural health services and comprehensive sexuality education programs by integrating ancestral practices and knowledge. This involves building the capacity of healthcare providers including midwives and traditional healers so that they can offer coordinated and complementary quality healthcare services; and (3) addressing violations of the rights of Indigenous women and adolescent girls by engaging duty-bearers including men and adolescents to strengthen the promotion and protection of sexual and reproductive rights through partnerships with civil society organizations.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) increased adoption by and for Indigenous women and adolescent girls and their communities of innovative and culturally relevant solutions that promote more equal enjoyment of their health by integrating ancestral practices. This includes their sexual and reproductive health and rights; and (2) improved provision of cross-cultural health services and comprehensive sexuality education programs promoting respect for the rights and self-determination of diverse groups of Indigenous women and adolescent girls and their communities.