The Make way programme
The programme aims to break down barriers to SRHR by promoting a new way of looking at, and organising, SRHR issues, through an intersectional lens. This means making overlapping vulnerabilities visible to understand their effects on people’s SRHR. With insights and sound data, as a consortium, we develop innovative tools and build capacities of other civil society organisations to advocate the needed policy and societal changes.
The “Make Way” program is part of a forum for collaboration among SRHR alliances that operate in the county of Siaya. This forum served as the alliances’ first opportunity to highlight their accomplishments during the first quarter. The alliance members have been advocating through:
1. The existing alliance and spaces they occupy in other networks.
2. By the use of opportunistic event such as chiefs Barazas
3. Using the arts, such as theatre, to spread awareness about SRH
4. Using sports as a communication tool to spread the word.
5. Using religious events and locations to promote SRH
The problem addressed in the programme
Many people cannot enjoy the full range of their SRHR, particularly, those with multiple, compounded vulnerabilities. For example, youth (especially girls) living in poverty with a disability – face high barriers to accessing the services they need and want.
Interrelated and systemic barriers keep marginalised youth from enjoying their SRHR. Negative societal views and (gender) norms cause stigma, discrimination, and exclusion. Sexuality education is often not comprehensive and inclusive or even non-existent. SRH services are often not accessible or of low quality. This is due to chronically underfunded and understaffed health systems as well as persistent siloes in health system funding. Moreover, youth are not involved in decision-making that affects their lives, and their rights and needs are not reflected in SRH policies, budgets and health system strengthening plans. Finally, civil society organisations working on SRHR have limited (financial) support, and the SRHR agenda lacks intersectional awareness.