Rights Driven Institutionalization of Sexual and Reproductive Health in Pakistan – A Conservative

Muslim Society

International AIDS Conference 2014

Qadeer BaigCountry Representative for PakistanRutgers WPF

Where the story begins! Pakistan has a population of

188 million out of which 30 % are adolescents. (52 Million approx.)

These people were at an increased risk of STIs and HIV & AIDS due to limited access to SRHR information and services

Rutgers WPF implemented a 4 year programme (2009-13)-Rights driven institutionalization of SRHR in Pakistan with funding from EU and Dutch Govt.

Religious and cultural Conservatism

Where we made the difference…..

Final Beneficiaries: using AIM methodology to change

attitudes and behaviours, the 4 years project reached

139,250 young people 970 teachers 240 health professionals 196 CSOs members141 media representatives 145 Government officials/policy makers 47 religious leaders and 182,944 parentsNational and Provincial Policies

Magic Approach – A.I.MA: Assessing Prevalence of SRHR: A Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Assessment

Framework (SeHRAF), Baseline and End report & toolkit – Dr John D Witt

I: Institutionalizing SRHR – LSBE (CSE)In school - A comprehensive curriculum on life skills and SRH

information for adolescents, endorsed by Religious scholarsAt home- An innovative parents involvement strategy (PIS)

All IPs adopted LSBE curriculum and continue advocacy efforts Policy - LSBE is part of National Education policy-a guiding

document for all provinces National Youth policy emphasizes provision of ‘youth friendly and

health care counseling and guidance facilities’ Punjab Youth Policy 2012 - awareness on HIV/AIDS and STIs and

increase availability of integrate SRHR information and services for adolescents

Youth Friendly Health Services 240 Health care Providers trained to provide Youth

Friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health Services ‘Guidelines for Youth Friendly Sexual and Reproductive

Health Services’ developed for take up by the Health department

About 20 health centers are operational and providing youth friendly services. 

M: Monitoring of SRHR Situation resulting due to InstitutionalizationAn online SRHR violation monitoring system was

developed and piloted in one of the project areas. Enabling Environment

SRHR subsector Rights Driven Approach

Resources To Cheer!Piloted and Evidence based curriculumCulturally AppropriateSupport from

Religious leaders SRHR experts Educationist Textbook review Boards Bureau of Curriculum Health careProvidersMedia

Innovation - Parent Involvement Strategy (PIS)

Opened a channel of communication between wards and their parents but also educated the parents thru Reverse Education

PIS centered on stories (girls & boys), Hira’s story (girl). Its theme was harassment and its key messages:Girls are not responsible to create the situations of harassmentparents should support their daughters to enhance their confidence.

Aamir’s story (boy) introduced the gender concept - key messages Boys don’t lose their respect and dignity in the society by sharing rolesMen and women are equal and they should share their responsibilities when needed.

Methodology – End Evaluation 2009-13

Document Review Beneficiaries Survey (Sample Size: 381) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with

Beneficiaries and Local Stakeholders (Total no. 08)

In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with Rutgers WPF Staff, Implementing Partners and Experts (Total no. 18)

FGDs/IDIs/SGDs- parents, teachers, CSOs, religious leaders, media personnel, implementing partners, government officials‘

Outcome of our worksFIVE Euros per student - for a cause of LSBE

87% 97% 82% 91%52%

12%

Hamara Kal-Project Results

www.schools4life.org.pkwww.facebook.com/

D4l.Pakistanwww.twitter.com/

dance4lifePK

Thank You