Improving Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Reducing Early Forced Marriage

The project aims to advance adolescent girls’ health and empowerment by addressing sexual and reproductive rights detrimental social and cultural norms and government policies in Ethiopia. This project includes gender-specific results to address child early and forced marriage (CEFM). Activities include: (1) enhancing capacities of local authorities to prevent and respond to CEFM; (2) providing at-risk girls with the skills and knowledge needed to help them determine their future; and (3) improving the capacity of community groups to change harmful traditional attitudes and practices to end CEFM. The project focuses on 6 municipalities of two regions of Ethiopia targeting 175 000 adolescents including 132 000 girls and 43 000 boys aged 10-19 years.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased engagement of adolescents especially girls in using sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and delaying marriage; (2) improved adolescent SRHR and child protection services delivered by local government safe houses schools and community health facilities; and (3) improved child protection and health management information systems to inform decision making on adolescent SRHR and ending child early and forced marriages.