By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bolgatanga, May 26, GNA – The implementation of the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project in some districts in the Upper East Region, is making progress in promoting adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights.
A midterm evaluation of the five-year project (2021-2026) in beneficiary districts revealed increased adolescents’ access to accurate information regarding their sexuality which was helping them to make informed decisions to avoid risky behaviour.
These came to light during dissemination of findings of research in Navrongo ,conducted by Professor Duah Dwomoh, of the D&D Statistical Consulting Services Limited, the Consultant for the research.
Implemented by consortium led by Right To Play in partnership with WaterAid Ghana, Forum for African Women Educationalists Ghana (FAWE-Ghana) and FHI 360, with finding support
from the Global Affairs Canada, the project is being rolled in the Builsa North and Kassena-Nankana Municipalities, Kassena-Nankana West, and Bongo districts.
The project targets in- and out-of-school adolescents across the four districts, with the goal of empowering youth through SRHR education, gender equality initiatives, and access to youth-friendly services.
The findings revealed increase in the active participation of adolescent girls and young women in SRHR advocacy and social action initiatives, highlighting the growing confidence and leadership among young women.
“I know my rights and can speak up now,” said one adolescent girl during a focus group discussion, capturing the transformative effect the project has had on self-confidence and empowerment”, Professor Dwomoh stated.
The project’s integration of life skills training, such as menstrual pad-making, and gender-sensitive programming has helped to reduce stigma and fostering supportive environments in both schools and health facilities according to the findings.
The findings further revealed positive trend in community participation, with more caregivers and stakeholders attending SRHR-focused forums, indicating growing acceptance and openness around adolescent reproductive health topics, which had traditionally been taboo in many parts of Ghana.
Additionally, adolescents reported improved communication with parents on SRHR issues and demonstrated better negotiation skills in relationships, further contributing to their autonomy and safety.
The findings revealed that training of community health workers, teachers, and facility staff, as well as the establishment of peer-led youth clubs and advocacy networks, were already proving to be effective in sustaining SRHR engagement even beyond the project’s direct intervention.
Continued investment, community collaboration, and youth empowerment and inclusive campaigns to reduce stigma and increased awareness to enhance the outcomes and ensure lasting change are among recommendations of the findings
Mr Evans Sinkari, Program Director, Right To Play, said the findings suggested that the project was making some progress and the inputs and recommendations from the stakeholders would be taken into consideration to strengthen implementation for lasting change.
Ms Rita Abamah, Bongo District Girl Child Officer, said apart from preaching abstinence, there was the urgent need for increased concerted efforts to ensure that the adolescents were abreast with the use of contraceptives particularly condoms to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.
GNA
FAA/Kenneth Odeng Adade