Sexual and Reproductive Health of Adolescents and Youth in Senegal (phase 2)
42 months (January 2026-June 2029)
Senegal
Context
In Senegal, adolescents and young people still face significant challenges in exercising their sexual and reproductive health rights, despite a favorable policy environment. Conservative socio-cultural norms, gender inequalities, lack of information, and weak health services limit access to quality services, particularly for girls and rural populations.
These obstacles lead to unmet contraceptive needs, early pregnancies, and high exposure to gender-based violence. This project aims to improve young people’s access to appropriate services, strengthen their information and empowerment, and combat unfavorable social norms in order to sustainably reduce inequalities in access to SRHR. Its strategy will focus on three complementary and interconnected areas of intervention, based on the lessons learned and knowledge gained from phase 1 of SANSAS.
General objective
The SANSAS II project aims to help improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for adolescents and young people, particularly girls, young women, and vulnerable young people in Senegal.
Specific objectives
1. Improve the availability, quality, and integration of sexual and reproductive health services tailored to adolescents and young people
2. Enhancing the capacity of adolescents, young men, and young women to exercise their SRHR
3. Contribute to strengthening a social and legal environment that is favorable to DSSRAJ and gender-sensitive
Beneficiaries
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73,380 young people and adolescents
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370 health professionals, and 310 community health workers
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920 school staff members
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240 parents of students
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300 cultural/community association staff members
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400 community, religious, and traditional leaders
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8 journalists and 18 hosts from 4 community radio stations
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all viewers and listeners of “C’est la vie!”
Results
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R1. Sexual and reproductive health services for young people will be strengthened in Phase 1 districts through expanded training and activities on menstrual health, gynecological violence, and contraceptive self-care. A mobile strategy inspired by itinerant midwives will also help bring services closer to communities in priority areas.
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R2. Adolescents and young people will be supported, together with local actors, to carry out awareness-raising activities tailored to their needs, including in schools. Young leaders will also be supported to take action on menstrual health and gender-based violence, and to promote these initiatives at the community level and within local health governance bodies.
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R3. Civil society organizations will be supported to strengthen their advocacy with decision-makers and the private sector. The project’s data and good practices will be shared to inform public debate and encourage the sustainable integration of these approaches at the national level.
