Her Future, Her Choice (HFHC)

Development Project

Her Future, Her Choice (HFHC)

Strengthening young women's sexual and reproductive health and rights

The Situation

Adolescent birth rates in some areas of sub-Saharan Africa are among the highest in the world.

Despite significant advances in preventing maternal and child mortality, the adolescent birth rate in sub-Saharan Africa is more than double the global average. The high pregnancy rate in adolescent girls is exacerbated by a lack of education and family planning resources and a low demand for and use of contraceptives. Women also often lack decision-making power in matters related to reproductive health.

The health and well-being of women and adolescent girls are affected by gender inequality, social norms, traditional practices and taboos regarding sexuality. Sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions are significantly needed in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.

Canada also faces significant challenges around reproductive health services and sexual education. The availability of these services varies depending on where a person lives, and some people experience obstacles in accessing abortion and contraceptive care. Comprehensive sexuality education is not uniform across the country and does not always meet international standards.

DETAILS

LOCATION
Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Canada

DURATION
6 years (2019-2025)

Lire la description du programme en français (PDF).

OUR SUPPORTERS
This project is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada, and the generous Canadian public.

New logo from government of Canada that reads, in partnership with Canada.

Watch Gilda's Story

Watch as young activists from Mozambique take the mic to raise awareness about sexual health.

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Issues at a Glance

118
In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent birth rates are among the highest in the world, averaging 118 births per 1000 girls.
2 to 4 x
HIV prevalence is two to four times higher among adolescent girls than boys in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia.
1 in 5
One in five young women in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia lack access to necessary family planning services.

What are we doing?

EDUCATION

Training public health workers and working with girls, women and men to change negative attitudes about sexual and reproductive health and rights.

STRENGTHENING SERVICES

Supporting quality, youth-friendly services, better referrals and access to sexual and reproductive health services and information in schools.

ADVOCACY

Collaborating with organizations in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to become stronger and more effective in their advocacy work.

What have we achieved so far?

Her Future, Her Choice responds to a direct need for information, services and social change. Together with local organizations, we are putting sexual and reproductive health decision-making back in the hands of young women and adolescent girls.

We are working to ensure young women have access to the vital health information and services they deserve while training public health workers, changing negative attitudes on sexual and reproductive health and advocating for women’s bodily autonomy and rights.

We're also raising the profile of sexual and reproductive health and rights across Canada. We support youth-led sexual health and rights advocacy, mobilization, and educational campaigns.

Since 2019, we have reached nearly 85,000 people, most of whom were women, with training initiatives including:

  • 532 facilitators and peer educators trained in SRHR awareness
  • 34 teachers trained in comprehensive sexuality education

We have also:

  • Established 18 youth-friendly spaces providing sexual and reproductive health and rights services
  • Provided access to SRHR services for more than 89,000 young women and girls
  • Enhanced the skills of 615 healthcare providers in delivering comprehensive SRHR services
  • Notable achievements include the shortlisting of Oxfam’s paper on improving contraceptive access for AGYW in Malawi for a national symposium and training Canadian youths in SRHR advocacy activities. Additionally, Action Canada produced two policy briefs on integrating sexual health drugs and commodities into Canada’s Pharmacare Plan.

When women and girls have meaningful decision-making power over their lives and bodies, they thrive.

The ultimate outcome of Her Future, Her Choice is improved sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescent girls and young women in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Canada.

Our project partners

Contribute to the health and rights of young women in sub-Saharan Africa today.

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