LACK OF ACCESS TO SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN UNGA LIMITED AND SOKON 1 WARDS IN ARUSHA CITY.

This project was designed as result of a study carried out (October 2015) by CASEE in collaboration with YES-Tanzania which showed that young people in the study area particularly girls and young women were unable to access information and services for protecting their sexual reproductive health rights and plan their lives. Family planning techniques including the use of contraceptives among young women and girls was very low hence resulting into unplanned pregnancies. In addition, pregnancies were a leading factor for school dropout among primary and secondary school girls in the two wards.

Therefore, the project aimed at increasing youths’ (15-24) awareness and access to SRH education, information and services. The project was implemented in two wards namely Unga Limited and Sokon 1 wards of Arusha city from July, 2017 to July,2018. The two wards are slum areas with high population of youth living in poverty with high rate of unemployment and drug abuse. The implementation of this project increased young people particularly girls’ awareness on sexual and reproductive health education. As a result, youths’ access to SRHE services increased due to the fact that the project created demand for SRH services and linked youths with hospitals and health facilities which provided youths’ friendly services. A total of 600 youths out of schools and 1,320 youths in schools were reached by this project.