strategic approach

Meaningful Youth Participation

Our approach to context-specific, youth-centered programming expands access to age-appropriate information on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); engages communities to create an enabling environment for improving young people’s sexual and reproductive health; advocates for supportive laws and policies; and engages young people in all phases of programming.

EngenderHealth recognizes young people as experts in their own lives. We employ a participatory, inclusive, youth-centered approach to engage young people in all phases of programming, to ensure that our work is done with, not just for, them and responds to their needs and priorities. We define young people as ages 10 to 24, including adolescents (10 to 19) and youth (15 to 24).

Two young women sit on a wall reading comic books.

Our comprehensive adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) programs address social and contextual factors to effectively promote SRHR. A key focus is ensuring that adolescent- and youth-friendly services are accessible, acceptable, affordable, equitable, appropriate, and effective. One way in which we do this is by strengthening healthcare providers’ capacity for unbiased youth-friendly services.

In addition, we work with local partners to educate young people about their rights and where and how to access information and counseling on sexuality, safe sex, and a full range of SRHR services. We support young parents in caring for themselves and their children and engage with men, boys, and communities to eradicate traditional practices that harm adolescents and youth. We also facilitate young people’s advocacy with policymakers and others for their own needs and rights.

Beyond our programs, EngenderHealth is also committed to meaningful youth participation in our internal operations. For more information, see our Gender, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (GEDI) policy.

“My passion for SRHR and meaningful youth participation is fueled by my personal and often negative experiences. These experiences serve as a constant reminder of the importance of working with and not just for young people so they can exercise their SRHR and achieve their goals, dreams, and potential.”

–Ana Aguilera

Director of Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights