In April 2004, YouthNet completed an Assessment of Youth Reproductive Health Programs in Ethiopia (PDF 680K), at the request of the USAID Ethiopia Mission. The report includes a background summary of reproductive health and HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia among youth, a summary of the YouthNet team visit, a summary of existing programs in the country, and repeated themes that arose during the assessment. It also includes a thorough set of appendices, describing the organizations working in this field in Ethiopia, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis, and more.
In 2002, at the request of the new Ethiopian Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture, YouthNet coordinated a youth-based participatory process to contribute to an HIV/AIDS and sexual health component for the ministry. Youth from throughout the country developed a national youth charter and a three-year action plan to mobilize youth for improved sexual and reproductive health (RH) and HIV/AIDS preventive behavior. YouthLens No. 6 summarizes the Ethiopian project, illustrating the use of participatory learning and action in helping to shape national policy. The FHI/IMPACT program in Ethiopia, which also supported the project, is preparing a more in-depth report, which will be available here soon. A case study on this project is also available, published in 2004 by Synergy.
The project involved identifying 51 youth leaders, selected through national criteria by regional HIV/AIDS offices and youth bureaus. These youth worked with more than 800 other youth, conducting participatory assessments among youth and adult stakeholders in rural and urban settings around the country. After the assessments, the youth facilitators met in Addis Ababa where they received training in data analysis, and then compiled and presented the data they had gathered. They validated these findings in a series of regional consultations. They took the final results to the first National Youth Consultation on Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS held in September 2002, where they finalized and presented their national youth charter and three-year plan of action to the Ministry. A National Youth Network was formed, which promotes sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention.
The project contributed to improved youth knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to RH/HIV practices, expanded media promotion of health youth reproductive practices, and helped develop youth networks to promote RH practices. The project reflected close collaboration within FHI. The FHI/IMPACT office in Ethiopia covered local costs of the workshop participants and assessments, while YouthNet supported a full-time local consultant, a part-time international consultant, and YouthNet staff time to provide quality technical assistance.
