Canada, UNICEF, UNFPA have signed a five-year program aimed at improving equitable access to quality sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services for adolescent girls in Tanzania. The program, supported by a C$14.7 million investment, will be implemented jointly by UNICEF and UNFPA in Zanzibar, Songwe, and Dodoma regions, targeting over 1.2 million adolescents aged 10 to 19 years.
The program aims to reduce maternal deaths, unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and improve the economic empowerment of women and girls. The Canadian High Commissioner, Kyle Nunas, emphasized the importance of this initiative in addressing the high rates of child marriage and teenage pregnancies in Tanzania.
The program will focus on gender-transformative approaches, strengthening gender-responsive initiatives, and enhancing adolescent-friendly service delivery. It is expected to increase the use of rights-based, gender-responsive, and adolescent-friendly SRHR information and services for adolescents, especially adolescent girls. Additionally, the program aims to enhance the ability of adolescent girls and boys to claim their SRHR rights and create an enabling environment for the realization of adolescent SRHR at national and sub-national levels.
The program aligns with national priorities that emphasize the crucial role of adolescent health and well-being in sustainable socioeconomic development. By prioritizing the needs of adolescent girls, Tanzania can ensure a healthier and more prosperous future for its population.
Source: IPP Media
#Planet #Prosperity #People #EnablingEnvironment