Sexual and Reproductive Health
Every year around 350,000 women die as a consequence of pregnancy and birth—and of this, 99 per cent occur in developing countries although most deaths could be prevented (read more >). DSW implements development projects and does advocacy work in order to increase access to health care services. Attention needs to be raised to assure a healthy young population and safe motherhood. Therefore, sexual and reproductive health and rights need to be a subject that is advanced to the top of the political agenda.
Our basic concept refers back to the Cairo Programme of Action of 1994. Ever since, sexual and reproductive health has become a major concern around the world. Starting in 2000, eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were signed by 189 member states of the United Nations (UN). MDG 5 aims to combat maternal deaths by decreasing its number by three-quarters and assuring universal access to reproductive health. Today, this remains the MDG with the least progress.
From Policy to Action: Providing Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Services to Young People in Kenya
Despite increasing global and national attention on the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG) (reducing maternal mortality), Kenya has been identified as one of eight countries in Africa that have made no progress in reducing maternal deaths. The limited capacity of the health system, combined with poor community participation in maternal health interventions, undermines efforts to make motherhood safer.
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DSW's Youth-to-Youth Initiative: Empowering Young People to Lead a Healthy Life
In order to address the multi-faceted needs of young people, DSW has developed “Youth-to-Youth” (Y2Y), a comprehensive programme designed to improve the sexual and reproductive health of young people by young people. Unlike many other sexual education projects, Y2Y embodies the belief that young people themselves are key actors in their own development, not simply beneficiaries and, as such, can themselves help find solutions to their problems. Y2Y is thus built on principles of active participation, gender equity and respect of local cultural, traditional and religious values, utilising existing resources and flexibility.
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