Empowering Youth through SYV Project
Strengthening Young people’s Voice for Access to Integrated Comprehensive SRH Services (SYV) project aimed to increase the ability of young people to collectively demand the fulfillment of their SRHR free from discrimination and violence, thus amplifying the voice of youth-led and Women-led organizations to effectively advocate in a coordinated approach for access to integrated, quality, youth-friendly SRHR information and services. This project has made a significant impact on the lives of many adolescents and young individuals and their communities by fostering a supportive environment for discussing and addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
The benefits are demonstrated by Peer educators and Y&WLCs through their voice in the project implementation area as seen below;
PE’s Personal Empowerment and Talent Development
“Before the Project I had no enough and correct SRHR information, I was passionate about being an 
advocate of youths SRHR but lacked enough knowledge and confidence to stand up for youth SRHR issues, Through the training on SRHR and SMART advocacy and the mentorship provided to me by the project, I now lead the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) sessions in my community by educating other young people about their sexual and reproductive health rights. The skills obtained from the project plus my singing and music composition talent have enabled me to produce a Youth SRHR education song by the financial and moral support from the SYV project team, who have been my first audience and my all-time supporters and fans , and through music I have been able reach a number of young people with SRHR information while entertaining them, Also through the recorded Youth SRHR education song I have been invited in Public events including the International Day of the African Child to provide edutainment and also provide CSE to adolescents and young people, I can testify that through my song adolescents and young people have been attracted to participate in community mobilization activities such as Bonanza and during youth weekend clinics held on Saturday where they enjoy the beat and lyrics of the Youth SRHR education music while learning, I am happy to be part of SYV project, because it has changed by perspective and direction of life especially on serving adolescents and young people through provision of SRHR information and SRH services also my talent playing a big role to attract youngsters, I will keep on being passionate with the work I do for my community, because to me, it is a privilege ” Yesse Godfrey PE from Kilolo District
Y&WLC Advocacy and Community Engagement
“The trainings on SMART Advocacy provided by the SYV project has enabled us as individuals to gain skills and a bravery to engage in SMART advocacy activities, also some of us had no SRHR
intervention in our organizations, again through the training on SRHR, Gender and Stigma reduction by the SYV project we have been able to expand our areas of interventions as organizations and in the process we have understood the power of advocacy at local level, we have been able to understand the importance of youth participation in decision-making processes from local (ward) to national level. In addition, by organizing community dialogues among youths to identify their SRHR challenges and collaborating with health facilities during community mobilization activities to interlink SRHR information and services, we have bridged the gap between young people and service providers and hence improved youth access to SRHR information and services. The most important impact as an organization we are proud of is for us being part of the SYV project which has made adolescent and young people to be more informed and empowered to make decisions about their SRHR. ” Veronica Kasilo Y&WLC from Tanzania Youth Uprising (TYU)
Countering discrimination and Reducing Stigma among adolescents and young people
“In our rural community within Mlimba DC, generally talking about youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights is a taboo, but this project has provided safe spaces for Adolescents and Young People to learn, share experience and challenges, discuss, open up and ask questions about their SRHR without being judged. 
The safe spaces include CSE sessions, SRHR education platforms and Youth weekend Clinics, all these have built thirsty and urge for adolescent and young people to seek for SRHR services, including cPAC services, without fear of being judged or encountering stigma. Referring to one of the cases I encountered with young girl who had induced unsafe abortion, she was crying and in so much pain. At first she could not open up but I used my SRHR skills to make her open up, she then said her truth, thereafter, I escorted her to the clinic, she received cPAC without any kind of stigma and she is thankful that her life was saved in the process despite her hesitations at first. The SYV project has helped me to understand the importance of respecting others’ decisions and choices; it has changed my perspective and behavior and it has totally transformed my former attitude towards youth SRHR, self-stigma and believing in a number of myths circulating within my community which in reality are not true.” Emmanuel Maya, PE from Mlimba Council.
Enhancing youth SRHR knowledge to adolescents and young people in school
“The SYV project has taught me about all SRHR concepts, including GBV, gender equality, and stigma reduction. 
I am fully aware of my body, healthy relationships and self-care. This knowledge has boosted my confidence and made me more comfortable talking and advocating for SRHR issues to my peers and on behalf of my peers. A good example of the impact of the SRHR knowledge I have shared with adolescents and young people in school is that during revisit session I have noticed that now girls are free and speak up unlike the first time we met, I have been using games as ice breakers to make sure that they feel comfortable, also the girls have boosted their confidence because of a better understanding of menstrual health management; they have also gained adequate knowledge on how to avoid early pregnancy. Truth be told, the project in its totality has created a more inclusive and supportive environment for adolescents and young people to access SRHR information and services.” Leila Salum, PE from Morogoro MC.
