SAfAIDS Zambia with funding from OXFAM Canada is implementing a project called Her Future, Her Choice (HFHC); Strengthening Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for Adolescent and Young Women. HFHC is a four (4) year project designed to strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) targeting adolescent girls and young women in school and out of school.
The project was developed to respond to the gender inequality and women’s rights violations undermining access to comprehensive, rights-based sexual and reproductive health information and services for adolescent girls and young women (10-24 years). The program directly addresses the barriers that are hindering access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescent girls and young women in communities – particularly harmful social norms, traditional practices, and taboos regarding sexuality. In so doing, the project will ultimately contribute to transforming gender inequality and discrimination, which are at the root of these barriers.
During its four-year duration (April 2019 to March 2023), HFHC will directly benefit approximately 40,000 adolescent girls and young women in Namwala and Chibombo districts in Sothern and Central provinces respectively. The project will be implemented through its three pillars as follows;
- Engaging adolescent girls and young women, men and boys, community leaders and norm-setters to understand and transform discriminatory social norms through awareness-raising leading to increased mobilization for greater SRHR for young women, including in schools (encouraging comprehensive sexuality education), to create a demand for comprehensive SRH services.
- Strengthening the health system to deliver comprehensive SRH services including family planning, contraception, safe abortion, and comprehensive post-abortive care and secondary prevention services for GBV.
- Promoting change in SRHR policy and practice through building the capacity of local women’s rights organizations and youth-led organisations to influence SRHR policy and practice.
Expected Results of the Project
The expected results, as per the initiative’s Intermediate Outcomes, include:
- Increased claiming of sexual and reproductive health rights and quality services by adolescent girls and young women in Chibombo, Namwala and surrounding districts; (200 adolescents and young women)
- Improved quality of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services for adolescent girls and young women in targeted districts; and (200 adolescents and young women)
- Strengthened engagement of women rights organisations and youth-led organisations in advocating for policies and resources to support SRHR at the national, regional and international level. (50 men and boys) (50 community Leaders and Norm Setters)
