Young Adolescents Project (YAP) - Kenya
Young Adolescents Project (YAP) was a three year project that addressed young adolescents sexual and reproductive health needs in nine primary schools in Kilifi County, Kenya. The project was established by the Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW), in collaboration with Bayer AG, in 2012 to address many of the challenges facing young people living within Kilifi County. Before the start of the project, early/forced marriage, and unintended teenage pregnancies were prevalent in the project sites which contributed to high school drop-out rates. In addition, young people lacked access to reproductive health services and a supportive environment at school and in the community. YAP was designed for young adolescents aged 10 to 14 years who are often neglected in sexual and reproductive health and rights programmes as they are considered too young to be in need of SRHR information. Project activities included peer education and the establishment of youth clubs for young adolescents, as well as the involvement of teachers, parents, health facilities, and community leaders to ensure that the necessary services and support were available in the wider community.
This initiative follows on from the successes of the initial YAP project implemented in three districts in Uganda between 2009 and 2012.
The objectives of YAP were to:
- increase knowledge of SRHR among young adolescents in primary schools;
- ensure the support of parents, teachers, and community leaders for young adolescents’ SRHR needs;
- create a supportive environment where young adolescents have access to correct and age-appropriate information and services; and
- ensure the sustainability of the project by sharing project results and recommendations.
Project activities included the following:
Young adolescents - The project enhanced the knowledge, skills and access to SRHR services for over 3,000 young adolescents via peer education and life skills development to enable them to learn about their sexuality and make informed health choices. This was done mainly through the creation of youth clubs with trained peer educators in each school. Youth clubs provided safe and supportive spaces for children to discuss their problems and learn from their peers. Through implementing various peer-to-peer activities, such as dramas and competitions, youth clubs educated other young people about their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The youth clubs were supported by the school administration, teachers, and parents.
School teachers - YAP Kenya enhanced the skills of school teachers by training them in how to teach, protect, counsel, and guide young adolescents on issues relating to SRHR, gender, and sexuality.
Parents and guardians - parents were empowered with knowledge and skills in order to communicate effectively and more openly with their children on matters related to sexuality and reproductive health.
Community leaders - these critical gate-keepers were reached with information about local government policies that support young adolescents, and were encouraged to play a supportive role.
Health service providers, counsellors, and community health workers - were re-trained to provide youth-friendly health services and counselling for young people. In addition to establishing youth-friendly corners in their health centres, health workers also provided health services in schools.
sexual and reproductive health and rights, youth
Impact
In total over 3000 young people, 80 school teachers, 200 parents and community leaders and 5 health facilities were reached with life changing information, services, and training on SRHR which lead to significant improvements in health and well being.
- 7 out of 10 young adolescents can now openly discuss reproductive health topics with their teachers at school.
- 9 out of 10 girls of school going age have now could access to sanitary towels when needed as a result of the project in Kenya.
- Girl’s decision-making power has doubled since the inception of YAP Kenya.
- 9 out of 10 teachers say that they are fully aware of children’s rights and discuss these openly with their pupils.
- 7 out of 10 teachers now feel confident about discussing reproductive health topics with parents.
- 8 out of 10 parents now openly discuss life and health choices with their children.
- 8 out of 10 community leaders are now fully sensitised on reproductive health topics and are actively involved in awareness creation.
- 9 out of 10 health workers from YAP sites now fully engage in school outreach programmes.
In addition, “Empowered YAP school clubs continue to provide peer education on SRHR while receiving key support from trained head teachers and parents. Referral arrangements are now in operation with five local health facilities, and young girls can openly access sanitary products from their schools. All the girls interviewed report that they no longer miss school due to menstruation, and they now feel confident discussion issues concerning sexuality with their parents and teachers.”
To find out more about the pilot in Uganda, see Improving the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Young Adolescents The Young Adolescents Project (YAP) in Uganda
The following document offers a detailed description of the YAP approach based on the experience of the Young Adolescents Project (YAP) in Uganda: How to Reach Young Adolescents - A toolkit for educating 10-14 year olds on sexual and reproductive health
Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW) and Bayer AG
Young Adolescents Project (YAP), February 2017 [PDF] and DSW website on March 28 2017.
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