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The
Web for Life report
Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team
(SAYWHAT)
September 28, 2012
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Executive
Summary
In 2007, SAYWHAT
introduced a 'Gender Desk' which has extensively contributed
to the success and impact of SAYWHAT's gender programming
through the coordination of the Web for Life Network. Over the years
we have seen female students' increase in active participation,
lobbying and advocacy for their sexual and reproductive health and
rights.
As an initiative
of the Students' And Youth Working on reproductive Health
Action Team (SAYWHAT), the Web for Life Network has promoted and
strengthened the active participation and involvement of female
students in SRHR Advocacy at national, regional and international
levels. Female students have realized the need to spearhead effective
responses and continuously deliberate and share experiences and
practices of responding to their SRH challenges and needs. Over
the years such advocacy has seen an increased access to SRHR services,
such as contraception provision, sanitary wear accessibility and
Voluntary Counseling and Testing by female students.
The network
has provided space for female students to dialogue, network and
build linkages through coalitions that advocate for improved SRH
service delivery and commodity provision for women at national level.
The participation of female students in such platforms has increased
understanding and knowledge on the links between young women's
sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV and AIDS, and
ensures that these issues are part of the core business of youths'
and women's organizations and movements.
The Web for
Life has engaged female students in policy advocacy through their
active participation and involvement in public meetings with parliamentarians
and other forums, with legal experts on SRH related matters. Female
students have had policy conversations aimed at changing and addressing
the challenges and concerns. Today, female students have challenged
policy makers and parliamentarians to review policies and laws particularly
around the provision of Sanitary Pads at affordable costs. The Network
has promoted Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of female
students through policy interventions at college and national level.
Female students' leadership in articulating and seeking strategic
ways to address critical global SRHR issues through analysis, commemorations
and female student specific actions to support SRHR interventions
has marked a dynamic generation of young women on the move to reclaim
their SRHR and to advance and influence meaningful decisions on
SRHR.
Behavioural
change initiatives targeting female students engaging in Multiple
Concurrent Partnerships, HIV Positive students, female students'
activists, students living with disability and married students
have noted improved assertiveness and increased efficacy on protecting
one's self.
The Web for
Life Network remains an active and dynamic platform for female students
in tertiary institutions who are leaders and advocates for Sexual
and Reproductive Health and Rights. It has realised the need to
build on the female students' perceived strengths and opportunities.
Currently it is expanding to cover the greater socio-economic needs
of young women through supporting sustainable livelihoods and advocating
for enabling policy and institutional environment.
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