Hope for Women and Youth South Sudan on Wednesday launched a nine-month project aimed at improving adolescent girls’ access to accurate information on sexual and reproductive health and rights to help them make informed decisions and remain in school.
The project, dubbed “Safe Choices, Strong Voices: Advancing Girls’ Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Yambio,” is being implemented by Hope for Women and Youth South Sudan with funding from the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA).
The initiative targets adolescent girls aged 10 to 19, as well as out-of-school women of reproductive age. It seeks to address challenges that can affect girls’ education, including unintended pregnancies, limited access to reliable sexual and reproductive health information, and other barriers to completing school.
Hope for Women and Youth South Sudan Executive Director Christine Faida said the project will empower women and young people to understand and exercise their rights, live free from violence and participate meaningfully in peacebuilding and the development of inclusive and resilient communities.
“The project is targeting girls aged 10 to 19 and out-of-school women who are of reproductive age. The project started in June and will end in February 2027. The project will provide adolescent girls with accurate and age-appropriate information on family planning, sexual and reproductive health, and their rights,” she explained. “We have activities like safe spaces where we will be training girls on menstruation, puberty, and family planning. We shall also have dialogue with community leaders about sexual and reproductive health because it is like a taboo in our communities.”
Meanwhile, Nama Edward Bukulu of the Western Equatoria State Ministry of Health commended the initiative and expressed the ministry’s support for its implementation.
“This will help us reach more girls and ensure that the project activities have a wider impact,” Bukulu said.
The SIHA focal person in Yambio, Hozana John Mabu, said the project will focus on strengthening girls’ confidence, resilience and ability to participate in decisions affecting their lives.
“The initiative comes at a time when adolescent girls face several barriers to completing their education, with early and unintended pregnancies among factors that can contribute to school dropout,” Mabu stated.
For her part, Amida Cosmas Tunga, a 13-year-old primary seven pupil at ABC Academy who attended the launch, encouraged fellow schoolgirls to avoid negative peer influence and remain focused on their education.
“Girls should speak up against inappropriate touching and protect their safety and future,” she said.
The project will also engage parents, teachers, community leaders and young people through community awareness and engagement activities to promote girls’ education and improve access to reliable, age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health information.
The organizers say the initiative is expected to contribute to safer choices, stronger voices and improved opportunities for adolescent girls to stay in school and pursue their future goals.
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