Simba Utano: Equality and Dignity for Girls and Young Women in Zimbabwe

This project aims to improve the health of adolescent girls and young women at risk of HIV in priority districts in Zimbabwe. Based on the concept of Simba Utano which means “health is power” in the Shona language the project increases knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV prevention among vulnerable adolescent girls and women as well as their families and communities. The project also works with health service providers and others to build their capacity to provide quality gender-responsive services and to build a supportive environment to strengthen HIV response in the project area. Project activities include: (1) establishing networks of trained peer educators/community leaders to provide information about SRHR and HIV prevention; (2) training health workers on gender-transformative and adolescent-responsive SRHR and HIV approaches; (3) training health facility managers and health officials on integrated SRHR and HIV services; and (4) enhancing knowledge management of SRHR and HIV response in order to strengthen HIV response.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased utilization of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV services by vulnerable adolescent girls and young women in priority districts of Zimbabwe; and (2) enhanced integration of SRHR and HIV services and policies for vulnerable adolescent girls and young women in priority districts of Zimbabwe.