Youth Empowerment
Almost half of the world's population is younger than 25 years of age. 70 per cent live in developing countries (read more >). Adolescents are the parents of tomorrow. Their choices regarding education and Family Planning strongly influence the development of their country and its society. Therefore, the transfer of knowledge and education in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights helps them to make informed and autonomous decisions.
They often lack access to sexual and reproductive health care services. Youth clubs are supposed to supplement this need. With DSW's aid and its development projects such as the Youth-to-Youth initiative boys and girls between the age of 10 and 24 get a chance to share knowledge and ask questions to their peer educators. Furthermore, contraceptives are distributed and HIV/AIDS tests are taken. The projects are backed-up by comprehensive advocacy work in order to assure Sexual and Reproductive Rights and a consistent investment in the parents of tomorrow.
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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Young Adolescents Project: Improving the Sexual and Reproductive Health of Young Adolescents in Uganda
While much has been done to improve access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and services among older adolescents, it is a common belief that boys and girls under the age of 15 are “too young” to be in need of SRH information and services. These assumptions ignore the realities of life in Uganda today and deny young adolescents access to practical knowledge and skills. Against this backdrop, DSW developed the innovative Young Adolescents Project
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Youth Response to HIV Prevention: Building Capacity to Benefit Youth in Uganda
Uganda has made great strides in raising awareness about HIV. However, knowledge among adolescents is not comprehensive and too frequently it does not translate into positive behaviour change. DSW has worked in six districts of Uganda since 2008 to address this situation. The project’s overall goal is to contribute to a 25 per cent reduction in the rate of new HIV infections among youth. In order to accelerate prevention of sexual transmission of HIV among youth (aged 10 – 24 years),
