The section below provides links to policy resources in youth reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention.
Empowering Youth through National Policies: UNESCO's Contribution (UNESCO, 2004). This document is a direct response to several Member States' request for assistance in formulating and developing a national youth policy which adequately responds to young people's needs and concerns, while promoting substantial youth participation and integration in social development. The publication aims to serve national decision-makers and diverse actors of civil society to develop a viable national youth policy in active partnership with young people.
Policies for Orphans and Vulnerable Children: A Framework for Moving Ahead (The Futures Group, 2003). This paper prepared by the POLICY project presents a summary of the global orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) situation and current policy responses; outlines existing policy frameworks for responding to OVC; identifies policy-level gaps in national responses to the growing OVC crisis; and proposes a country-level OVC policy package and recommendations for future policy dialogue and action.
Making Prevention Work: 4. Policy Development and HIV/AIDS Prevention: Creating a Supportive Environment for Behavior Change (Family Health International, 1998). Growing recognition of the importance of supportive policies has made policy development a key strategy for HIV/AIDS prevention in the second decade of the epidemic. This document describes different examples of success in policy development in Kenya, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.
www.youth-policy.com. The POLICY Project and YouthNet launched a Web site, youth-policy.com, to serve as an online resource for improving youth reproductive health and HIV/AIDS policy worldwide. It contains a searchable database of full-text policies addressing youth RH, a key elements and good practice guide, fact sheets, and tools and links.
School HIV/AIDS Policy Tool Kit (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2003). This 94-page document provides background information on HIV/AIDS, tools for districts to assess current policies and procedures, and guidance for school districts to develop or enhance policies and procedures related to HIV/AIDS. The School HIV/AIDS Policy Tool Kit provides background information, policy examples, legal references, best practice procedures, and additional resources for schools to develop or enhance policies and procedures to address the following common concerns:
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Reduction of risk of HIV transmission for children and school staff
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School attendance by children living with HIV
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Needs of children with family members living with HIV
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Quality and effectiveness of HIV prevention education for youth
- Employment of staff living with HIV
Sample HIV/AIDS School Policy (Nebraska Health & Human Services System, 2002). Adapted from the sample policy provided in the book, "Someone at School has AIDS: A Complete Guide to Education Policies Concerning HIV Infection, 2nd Edition", this document provides school systems with guidelines for HIV/AIDS policy.
Policy and Advocacy in HIV/AIDS Prevention (Family Health International). This handbook from the AIDSCAP project provides an overview of how to contribute to making policy an effective component of HIV/AIDS prevention.
Implementing Youth Reproductive Health Policies So They Matter. (Greene, M.)
In 2003-2004, the United Nations Population Fund supported a nine-country study on identifying key actors and processes in policy development and implementation. Based on data from in-depth qualitative interviews, policy analysis, and literature reviews, the study found the key steps in developing policy that leads top implementation to be: multi-sector consultation, the establishment of a coordination mechanism, the existence of champions for advocacy, and regional cooperation. Obstacles included treatment of implementation as the end goal and a social reluctance that translates into political unwillingness.
Framework for Assessing Policy Environment (Pathfinder, 2001). Political and cultural support can affect youth services. Weak political support for youth in Bolivia and the Dominican Republic meant provision of services has lagged behind policy development. In the Near East, opposition from Islamic leaders and political parties has stifled policy debates. For more information, see pages 23 to 31 of this FOCUS on Young Adults report.
Final Report for the AIDSCAP Program in Kenya (Family Health International, 1998). The final report from FHI's AIDSCAP program in Kenya highlights results and experiences in capacity development and AIDS-related policy promotion.
Policy Profile: Policy Development Initiative Reaps Unexpected Benefits in Central America (Family Health International, 1997). This profile further describes examples of policy success in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, explaining the process of using data, analysis, planning and collaboration to create policy recommendations.
Policy Profile: HIV/AIDS Policy Lessons: Learning from Thailand (Family Health International, 1996). Those who participated in AIDS policy debates in Thailand during the past decade shed new light on the evolution of the country's policies in an AIDSCAP study that offers lessons for other nations grappling with emerging epidemics.
