In an unprecedented partnership, SolidarMed and Enfants du Monde are joining their forces to improve the sexual and reproductive health of the young people in Tanzania. This project aims to provide them with reliable information and access to tailored services in a region where the needs are immense.
Eliane Kiener and Beata Godenzi are respectively Director of SolidarMed and General Secretary of Enfants du Monde. Both NGOs are pooling their complementary expertise for a sexual and reproductive health project in Tanzania, a country where young people often have confusing and sometimes contradictory information about sexuality.
The importance of getting involved
Beata, why is it important to engage with this topic nowadays, particularly in Tanzania?
Adolescence, in any country, exposes young people to changes and vulnerabilities. In Ulanga, Tanzania, where the rate of teenage pregnancy is high, we are carrying out a project with SolidarMed, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to provide sexual education and tailored services to prevent sexually transmitted infections and early pregnancies. Teenage pregnancies compromise the future of girls, pose significant health risks, and are leading cause of death among 15-19 years old.
Beata, what are the main challenges?
The lack of accurate and appropriate information is one of the main challenges: there are taboos, as well as limited social acceptance regarding the use of contraceptives, for example. Finally, the quality of care provided, the availability of qualified personnel, and access to medications significatively influence the demand of healthcare.
The assessment of needs
Eliane, how was all of this addressed to think of a project?
This project started with an assessment of the needs and access to information for adolescents and young mothers in the project area. This was followed by a survey of young people, health professionals, community leaders, teachers, and authorities to evaluate whether health services were youth-friendly and suitable for adolescents.
Eliane, what solutions have been put in place?
The project has created spaces for adolescents in the health centers involved, trained professionals in youth health, and organized community dialogue meetings. In 2023, 14,132 adolescents benefited from consultations. We developed educational materials on sexual and reproductive health based on their knowledge and experiences. Young people were trained to conduct participatory and effective health education sessions in schools and villages.
The aims of the project
Eliane, although it is still early to see changes, what are the concrete objectives of the project?
Our interventions facilitate adolescents access to local, tailored, confidential, and supportive health services. Young people are actively involved through an advisory committee, peer educators, and awareness raising activities. The project also targets young people with specific needs, such as those with chronic or mental illnesses and pregnant girls.
Support for sustainable impact
Ladies, what can we say to our readers to encourage them to support this project?
This project offers specific and sustainable solutions to the sexual and reproductive health challenges faced by adolescents in this region and influences their life plans. Furthermore, the partnership between Enfants du Monde and SolidarMed ensures a global approach; Enfants du Monde contributes its expertise in health education, while SolidarMed brings its deep and well-established knowledge of health services. Your support is crucial for strengthening our efforts and making a lasting impact on the lives of young people in Tanzania.
My donation makes a difference:
I am donating a bilingual textbook in French and Mooré (the local language) to 8 children in Burkina Faso to help them make better progress at school.
I am helping 250 pregnant women in Bangladesh to prepare for the birth of their baby and the risks associated with childbirth.
I am funding in-service training in bilingual education for 10 teachers in Guatemala to improve the quality of their lessons.
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