By Michael Gwarisa
A tripartite partnership that includes the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Save the Children and Family Support Trust (FST), has been formed in a bid to promote the uptake of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), HIV services as well as reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation of young people, migrants and individuals living in migration-affected communities.
The initiative dubbed SRHR –HIV Knows No Boarders (KNB) project is being implemented in Zimbabwe’s Beitbridge district. The project will run from 2024 to 2026 and is set to reach approximately 91000 adolescents and young people.
Speaking in an interview with HealthTimes, Angeline Itai Matereke- Programmes Operations Manager at Save the Children said there are still gaps regarding the SRHR and HIV needs of young people, migrants and individuals living in migration-affected communities.
Save the Children has embarked on a localisation agenda which seeks to deliver change for children and communities through working with local partners. It is against this background that Save the Children engaged FST, a local partner to directly implement the project together with IOM, whilst Save the Children’s role will be to provide technical oversight,” said Matereke.
She said the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and HIV needs of young people, migrants and individuals living in migration-affected communities is a concern worldwide and a public health issue needing urgent attention from governments and development agencies.
“This is what motivated Save the Children and its partners to support government efforts in improving SRHR and HIV services and quality of life among the target population in migration corridors.”
While efforts have been made countrywide to improve access to SRHR and HIV services, the major challenge faced by young people and adolescents living in migration corridors is lack of access to SRHR services for young vulnerable people and sex workers. There is also lack of quality service provision of SRHR services.
“Most of the communities in Beitbridge district are within hard-to-reach areas and as a result, they have limited access to health services, awareness information and SHRH services. Beitbridge is along the migration corridor hence this puts communities living along the border line at heightened risk of exposure to protection issues such as sexual exploitation and communicable diseases, “added Mtereke.
The project is currently being implemented across countries in Southern Africa, namely Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and Eswatini. There is an emphasis on creation of platforms to share best practises, cross border meetings and a collaborative approach between the implementing countries. In Zimbabwe, USD350, 000 has been secured for Beitbridge district.
In the partnership, IOM and Family Support Trust are responsible for implementing project activities whilst Save the Children will monitor and provide technical oversight throughout the project duration. Existing Community Care Workers (CCWs) and Community Health Workers (CHWs) within the districts will be incorporated into the project as Change Agents.
Some of the key project interventions under the project include increased awareness and coverage of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) and SHRH-HIV information as well as Sexual and Gender Based Violence awareness and conducting community outreach campaigns in selected border communities, to disseminate information on migrant and youth friendly SRHR/HIV and SGBV services available.
“The project also seeks to develop key messages and design an age and disability-appropriate IEC based on the information needs, and available migrants-friendly services in local languages (Shona/Ndebele/Venda and Braille) targeting youth from 10 – 29 years.”
Under project, 10 SRHR clubs will established in Beitbridge from the migrant-sending wards where adolescents will be trained on SRHR, HIV and SRHR key topics. The partners will also Implement a Social Behaviour Change Campaign. This will be done through drama skits, SMS and via social media platforms. Community Care Workers will also conduct door-to-door visits to give information on SHR, HIV, and safe migration to spark social behaviour change in communities.
Furthermore, the project will create room to an enabling environment to establish linkages with local NGOs and CSOs working in and around border communities to increase reach in hard-to-reach migrant areas. Save the Children will work with Family Support Trust, a local organisation that will ensure the sustainability of activities after the project closes out.
“We will also disseminate, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and behaviour change communication materials in Shona, Ndebele and Venda, including SHR/HIV Counselling Cue Cards targeting young people, migrants and sex workers. We will also identify, train, mentor and coach 200 Community Health Workers (CHW) and Community Childcare Workers on CSE, HIV and AIDS, migration, case management, life skills, referral pathways, child safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and parenting without violence.”
Under the project, partners will also conduct training in 10 boarder clinics and 1 reception centre (for migrant children and young people) to equip community health workers and community counsellors with basic skills in counselling survivors of Gender Based Violence and sexual exploitation, as well as provide resources and/or equipment to 10 local clinics to ensure access to essential health services, STI screening, diagnosis and management, HIV testing kits and counselling, ARV treatment/medication, contraceptives, family planning pills and menstrual cups, cervical cancer screening, etc.
Meanwhile, an adolescent-friendly information kiosk desk will be established at the boarder to provide information on where to get help on SHR and HIV during the migration cycle. Training mentorship and coach 200 CHWs and CCW on CSE, HIV and AIDS, migration, case management, life skills, referral pathways, child safeguarding and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse and parenting without violence. Improved entrepreneurship skills and linkages for livelihoods opportunities for young vulnerable people including migrants and sex workers.
