YOUTH GUIDE & ACTION FRAMEWORK FOR THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION. #YOUTHMPoA

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1 YOUTH GUIDE & ACTION FRAMEWORK FOR THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION 1

2 YOUTH GUIDE & ACTION FRAMEWORK FOR THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION 2

3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document was prepared by the International Planned Parenthood Federation African Regional Office in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC) Department for Human Resources, Science and Technology and Department for Social Affairs. The document was developed by Robert Kasenene and Remmy Shawa (consultants) with the support of Prudence Ngwenya, Head of the Division in charge of Youth Development at AUC, Kokou Sename Djagadou, Project Officer and Juliette Faida Nsensele Adolescents and Youth Program Advisor at IPPF ARO. We wish to thank AUC and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) staff and young volunteers for their reviews. 3

4 ACRONYMS AIDS ART AUC AYSRH BCC GNP HIV HPV HTC IPPF MCDSR MDGs M&E MPoA RMNCAH RR SDGs SRH & RR STI TB VMMC WHO Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Anti-Retroviral Therapy African Union Commission Adolescents and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Behaviour Change Communication Gross National Product Human Immunodeficiency Virus Human Papilloma Virus HIV Testing and Counselling International Planned Parenthood Federation Maternal, Child Death Surveillance and Response Millennium Development Goals Monitoring and Evaluation Maputo Plan of Action Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health Reproductive Rights Sustainable Development Goals Sexual and Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights Sexually Transmitted Infections Tuberculosis Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision World Health Organisation 4

5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms How to use this Guide Taking Action What is the Maputo Plan of Action? What is the Goal? Fun Facts Trivial Key Strategies: From Words to Action Important Data for Young People Youth Interventions, MPoA User Guide

6 ? HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE The guide provides easy to digest and targeted information on the Maputo Plan of Action that is particularly useful for young people, youth development practitioners and youth led groups and organizations. It focuses on elements of the MPoA that are important and pertinent to young people1. The Guide is divided into four sections: 1. What is the Goal: Highlights the purpose of the MPoA. 2. Key Strategies: From Words to Action; this makes sense of the 10 key strategies of the MPoA and provides ideas on what actions you can take as a young person. 3.Youth Interventions in the MPoA: this extracts and highlights the key youth interventions in the MPoA. 4. User Guide: this provides ideas on what actions you can take to popularise the MPoA and to promote SRHR. TAKING ACTION The guide has provided a simplified way in which you can begin to take action that is informed by the commitments leaders have made on SRH & RR in the MPoA. This has been done through Action Points and #YouthMPoA Action. Action Points #YouthMPoA Action The orientation and information provided under the Action Points provides the young reader with guidance to take actions on specific Key Strategies of the MPoA. In addition to the orientations provided, the action points also highlight key considerations for young people. These provide broader guidance on actions to take to promote AYSRHR and the MPoA. You are encouraged to use the #YouthMPoA hashtag across social media to share with other young people, actions you are taking. The #YouthMPoA is a means to archive the experiences being shared for future reference. #YouthMPoA Action: Tell us what you think of this youth-friendly version of the MPoA and how you are using it. *1 Youth people were extensively consulted through an online survey. 6

7 WHAT IS THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION? The Maputo Plan of Action or as it is popularly known - MPoA - is a Plan of Action adopted by Heads of States and Governments of the Africa Union, to respond to the reproductive health and rights challenges of the continent and foster universal access to comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in Africa. The MPoA seeks to implement the continental policy framework on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in Gaborone, Botswana, AU Ministers of Health, adopted the Continental Policy Framework on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) 2006 Figure 1 In Khartoum, Sudan, the AU Executive Council in their decision EX.CL/Dec.249 (VIII), endorsed the Continental Policy Framework for the Promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Rights in Africa 2006 In Maputo, Mozambique: AU Ministers of Health Adopted the Maputo Plan of Action for the operationalization of the continental policy framework for sexual and reproductive health and rights After the review of implementation of the MPoA, the AU Executive Council in Kampala, Uganda, in their decision EX.CL/Dec.568 (XVII), endorsed the extension of the Maputo Plan of Action (MPoA) for the period 2010 to In Figure 1: Timeline of the MPoA The MPoA was developed following the review of the first MPoA that was implemented from 2007 to The MPoA is being implemented in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and the AU Agenda 2063 and seeks to take the continent forward towards the goal of ending preventable maternal, child and adolescent deaths and universal access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services in Africa beyond Review and development of the MPoA In Kigali, Rwanda: AU Heads of States and Government in their decisions Assembly/AU/ Dec.619 (XXVII) endorsed the recommendations of the AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) report including on the Africa Health Strategy ( ), the Maputo Plan of Action (MPoA ), and the Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, Tuberculosis and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by

8 WHAT IS THE GOAL? The goal of this MPoA is for African Governments, Civil Society, the Private Sector and all multisector development partners to join forces and redouble efforts so that together, the effective implementation of the continental policy framework on SRHR, Agenda 2063 and SDGs are achieved in order to end preventable maternal, newborn, child and adolescents deaths by expanding contraceptive use, reducing levels of unsafe abortion, ending child marriage, eradicating harmful traditional practices including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls and ensuring access of adolescents and youth to SRH by 2030 in all countries in Africa. The Private Sector and all development partners should coordinate their efforts to effectively implement the continental policy framework on SRHR. Improve access to age appropriate, culturally sensitive Comprehensive Education on sexual and reproductive health Improve the health status of women, children and young people Bring greater family savings Promote access to Youth-Friendly Services Produce stronger economies in Africa Prevent genderbased violence (GBV) and ensure access of adolescents and youth to SRH by 2030 in all countries in Africa African Governments, Civil Society, the Private Sector and all development partners should coordinate their efforts to effectively implement the continental policy framework on SRHR. This will help to: End preventable maternal, newborn, child and adolescent deaths Eradicate harmful traditional practices including female genital mutilation Expand contraceptive use End child marriage Reduce levels of unsafe abortion 8

9 #FUN FACTS DID YOU KNOW THAT: Millennium Development Goals The Continental Policy Framework for SRHR and its Maputo Plan of Action were developed after AU Ministers of Health realised that Africa would not meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015? MPoA was a result of a Special Session of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Health held in Maputo, Mozambique from September 2006? MPoA s full title is the Maputo Plan of Action for the Operationalisation of the Continental Policy Framework for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights? The initial MPoA was a short term plan covering the period 2007 to 2010, but was extended in 2010 following the evaluation of the plan to 2015 to coincide with the end of the Millennium Development Goals? Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Today, the plan of action is the single most important SRHR specific action-oriented plan for Africa? The revised Maputo Plan of Action is meant to run from 2016 to 2030, and will coincide with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda? 9

10 Catalytic Framework To End Aids, TB and Eliminate Malaria In Africa By 2030 AFRICA S AGENDA 2063 The Maputo Plan of Action was adopted together with the African Health Strategy and the Catalytic Framework on Ending AIDS, Tuberculosis and Eliminating Malaria by 2030? The revised Maputo Plan of Action on SRH remains consistent with Africa s Agenda 2063 and its first ten years implementation plan? African Youth Charter African Youth Charter The Maputo Plan of Action promotes adolescent and youth SRHR as does the African Youth Charter? The Maputo Plan of Action and the African Youth Charter are relevant to harnessing the demographic dividend in Africa? Did you know that the AU has a website where you can get all this information and a copy of the MPoA? 10

11 WhatsApp had not yet been released The first iphone had not yet been launched Sir Alex Ferguson was still Manchester United Coach TRIVIA MPoA When the Maputo Plan of Action was adopted in 2006: South Sudan was not yet a country Nelson Mandela was still alive African Youth Charter No one knew Barrack Obama would become president #DidYouKnow the African Youth Charter was also adopted in 2006 WHAT ELSE WAS HAPPENING FOR YOU IN 2006 WHEN THE MPOA WAS FIRST ADOPTED? TAG YOUR MESSAGE WITH #YOUTHMPOA. #YouthMPoA Action: Fact Finding Mission; Do you know what your country is doing on SRHR? Find out if there is a policy that guarantees young people s access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services and Information in your country. Plan your advocacy activities based on the results of your fact finding mission. Use this MPoA to inform your work. 11

12 MAPUTO PLAN ACTION SECTION 2 KEY STRATEGIES: FROM WORDS TO ACTION 12

13 In order to move the Maputo Plan of Action from words to action, African countries agreed to a set of priority strategies. A total of 10 strategies were proposed. What do the strategies mean and what action can you take? Here is a quick guide: 1 IMPROVING POLITICAL COMMITMENT, LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE Adopt the plan of action at all levels Our leaders agreed to: Adopt the plan of action at all levels continental, regional and national levels. Specifically, this means that they will include Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) into continental, regional and national development plans, budgets and policies. Action Point: At the international and national level, you can hold your leaders accountable to delivering in global, regional and national commitments, declarations, frameworks and development agendas related to RMNCAH. For instance, you can work with other young people in your community to document the current statistics on AYSRHR, define an advocacy strategy, and conduct the advocacy. You can also get SRH data about your country from the AU online health data platform Don t forget: Don t forget: You also have a responsibility to share with us what you are doing to improve the health of women, girls and boys in your communities. 13

14 2 RMNCAH Enforce Laws INSTITUTING HEALTH LEGISLATION AND POLICIES FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO SERVICES Our leaders committed to: Removing legal, regulatory and policy barriers limiting adolescent and young people s access to SRH commodities, programmes and services; Enacting, reviewing and enforcing laws that prevent child marriages; and Ensuring access to safe abortions in accordance with national laws and policies Action Point: Be a citizen in the know: share with us the legislation and policies in your country that is relevant to Adolescents and Youth SRH&RR and an example of how it is implemented in your community. Don t forget: Dissemination and awareness raising on laws and policies is one step towards creating a positive change and ensuring accountability. 14

15 3 RESPECT ENSURING GENDER EQUALITY, WOMEN AND GIRLS EMPOWERMENT AND OF HUMAN RIGHTS Our leaders committed to: Protect the rights of young women Protecting the rights of women, men, adolescents and youth to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to sexual and reproductive health, free from coercion, discrimination and violence; Eradicating harmful traditional practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation/ cutting and other harmful practices, and eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls; and Promoting social values of equality, nondiscrimination, and non-violent conflict resolution. Action Point: Document the challenges that young women and adolescent girls in your country or community face in relation to girls empowerment and respect of their rights including accessing SRH services; and find out from them what they think should be done to improve the situation. You can use that information to conduct advocacy with your local and national leaders. Don t forget: Don t forget: Engaging boys and men is crucial to achieving gender equality. Boys and men can adopt positive behaviours that respect women and girls, and can also support women and girls in ensuring that they access services. Remember to also work with boys and men so that they too can access SRH services for their own good. 15

16 4 FOR IMPROVING STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION SRH&RR: Our leaders committed to: Promote and improve strategic communication Instituting effective behaviour change communication and information sharing mechanisms that promotes RMNCAH; Target adolescents and youth (both in and out of school) with age appropriate and culturally sensitive comprehensive education on sexual and reproductive health; Promote and facilitate communication among health care providers including peer educators at various levels; Widely disseminate information on RMNCAH including using new communication technologies such as e-health, social media; and Promoting community mobilisation for and participation in RMNCAH, with a special focus on the involvement of men. Action Point: Find out which organisation is conducting what SRH&RR awareness activities and where, within your community; and identify gaps. You can use that information to advocate for more interventions by NGOs and governments in those areas. Don t forget: Don t forget: Every young person has a right to information about SRH regardless of their demographics. Ensuring that even the hard-to-reach populations, such as those in rural areas have SRH&RR information and education is important for their health and wellbeing. 16

17 INVESTING IN SRH NEEDS OF ADOLESCENTS, YOUTH AND OTHER VULNERABLE 5MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS Improve and provide health access for youth and marginalized populations Our leaders committed to: Improving access to and uptake of quality RMNCAH information and services for youth, including HPV vaccination and family planning; Providing quality integrated youth-friendly adolescent SRH services; Providing young people with age-appropriate and culturally sensitive comprehensive education on sexual and reproductive health and referrals to SRH services; Preventing child marriage and other harmful traditional practices; Investing in improving the SRH&RR status of the poor; Empowering and supporting community-led efforts to address their RMNCAH challenges Advancing inclusion; Ensuring effective response in emergency humanitarian and fragile settings while continuing routine services delivery for women, children and adolescents. Action Point: Find out what populations of young people are marginalised in your community or country. What makes them marginalised and what can be done to reach them? Use the information to tailor your activities and advocacy towards the needs of the groups you identify. Don t forget: Don t forget: A human rights based approach to health dictates that health delivery including information should be non-discriminatory. By working for marginalised youth, you would be helping to respect, protect and fulfil their human rights. 17

18 OPTIMIZING THE FUNCTIONING OF 6HEALTH SYSTEM FOR RMNCAH Our leaders committed to: Strengthening the health system for RMNCAH Strengthening primary health care systems by linking comprehensive, quality RMNCAH, HIV/ AIDS, Malaria/TB services at all levels of the health system; Strengthening referral systems for integrated RMNCAH, HIV/AIDS/STI and Malaria/TB services; Ensuring availability of the widest range of drugs/ medicines and commodities for RMNCAH; Expanding access to high-impact health interventions such as immunisation; skilled attendance at birth and quality care; Improving access to contraception and Emergency obstetric and neo natal care; Addressing the rising burden of reproductive cancers; Improving efforts to end vertical transmission of HIV; Ending malaria transmission; Strengthening emergency preparedness capacities at all levels of the health system in accordance with the international Health Regulations. Action Point: Find out what services young people in your community or country prioritise and whether these services are readily available to them. Use the information you would have gained to advocate for better services towards the youth in your setting. Don t forget: Don t forget: Don t Forget: Accountability is as much the responsibility of your leaders as it is yours. As a youth leader, or youth organisation, you can offer a voice to youth who would otherwise remain unheard. 18

19 7 RECRUITMENT INVESTING IN HUMAN RESOURCE BY STRENGTHENING TRAINING, AND RETENTION Strengthening the capacity of the Human Resource Our leaders committed to: A more sustainable approach aiming at producing a health workforce with the required competencies Appropriately distributed health workforce at all levels A particular attention to rural and hard to reach areas Aiming at achieving excellence in human resources capacity development, training, recruitment and retention Action Point: Find out what are the need in Human Resource capacity to provide youth friendly and gender sensitive services and information for adolescents and young people. Don t forget: Young people in rural settings, in humanitarian context also need access to services that meet their needs 19

20 IMPROVE PARTNERSHIPS AND MULTI-SECTORAL COLLABORATIONS 8FOR RMNCAH: Work in partnership and collaboration Our leaders committed to: Collaborating with development partners to fulfil their pledge to devote 0.7% of their gross national product to development; Working with partners to develop operational and financing frameworks that take into consideration specific RMNCAH characteristics and priorities of the continent sub-regions and countries; Developing policies that promote involvement of civil society, private sector and communities in RMNCAH service delivery within national programmes; and Strengthening South-South, North-South, triangular partnerships and Diaspora cooperation in achieving SRHR&RR goals. Action Point: Find out which development partners (donors) are supporting provision of youth - friendly SRH services in your country or community. You can then reach out to them and express your interest as youth to work with them to get youth s experiences in accessing health services. Don t forget: Don t forget: Every development partner is interested in creating impact and hearing how young people are benefiting from the initiatives they support. They would also like to hear about the challenges that youth face. 20

21 9 EVALUATION, ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY AND STRENGTHENING MONITORING AND RESEARCH AND INNOVATION Our leaders committed to: Accountability Learning and Evaluation Establishing strong evidence based integrated national monitoring and evaluation frameworks; Implementing or strengthen MCDSR systems; Developing a foundation for baseline data that can be used to track progress; Developing/strengthening civic registration and vital statistics systems; Strengthening national health information systems to collecting and publishing key age/sex disaggregated RMNCAH data; Investing in research and innovation to address key health and social development priorities among others; and Strengthening the monitoring and evaluation system for the Plan of Action. Action Point: find out about accountability mechanisms that exist for monitoring SRH services and information at the national or local level; and how you and other youth organisations can be part of such mechanisms. Don t forget: Don t forget: Youth voices are important in decision-making and monitoring of health services provision and information, especially in SRH. Remember Nothing for us without us? 21

22 10 AND Invest in Health INCREASING HEALTH FINANCING INVESTMENTS: Our leaders committed to: Improving domestic resource mobilisation for RMNCAH through innovative health financing mechanisms; Putting in place social protection mechanisms; RMNCAH interventions and programmes; and Identifying and instituting budget lines and budgetary allocations for essential and costeffective Encouraging and supporting their governments to invest in health infrastructure, local manufacturing of medicines, health equipment and consumables. Action Point: Find out how much your government spends on youth SRH services in your country. At community level, go to your local clinic/hospital and find out how much of their budget goes towards SRH services for young people. Don t forget: Don t forget: Leaders need to put their money where their mouths are. Allocating adequate resources to youth friendly services is a prerequisite for improving access to such services. ACTION: Identify which of these strategies are most relevant and important for young people and your community. For each strategy, assess the situation in your community and identify key gaps and challenges. Advocate for your local and national government to realize these commitments. 22

23 IMPORTANT DATA FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Source: data accessed on 31 st October 2017 In Africa the average General government expenditure on health as a percentage of general government expenditure is 9.98% with only 4 countries reaching the minimum threshold of 15% the average maternal, neonatal and under-five mortality ratios in Africa remain high at 445 per 100,000 live births, 26 per 1,000 live births and 70 per 1,000 live births respectively. The average contraceptive prevalence rate and unmet need for family planning remain at 31% and 23% respectively. The Maputo Plan of Action recognises these contexts and considers them a rationale for having an effective plan, which is in line with AU s Agenda 2063 and the agenda 2030 agenda. For more health statistics on Africa visit the African health stat website 23

24 MAPUTO PLAN ACTION YOUTH INTERVENTIONS, MPOA SECTION 3 24

25 While all planned intentions in the Maputo Plan of Action are crucial and relevant to young people, the table below is an extract of some interventions from the plan that are related to adolescents and young people. Kindly refer to the MPoA to access all priority interventions and their indicators for monitoring progress. STRATEGIC FOCUS 1. Improve Political Commitment, leadership and Governance for RMNCAH PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS 1.1 Popularize MPoA at continental, regional and national levels 1.2 Integrate maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health into other health services 1.3 High political commitment and leadership for RMNCAH 2. Institute health legislation in support of RMNCAH 2.1 Remove legal, regulatory and policy barriers limiting access to SRH commodities, programmes and services 2.2 Develop and implement legal and policy frameworks that prevent child marriages 2.3 Implement policies, strategies and action plans to reduce unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion 2.4 Develop legal frameworks, strategies and programmes that deal with GBV 3. Ensure gender equality, empowerment and human rights 3.1 Protect the rights of women, youth and adolescents and address sexual and gender based violence 3.2 Eradicate female genital mutilation/cutting and other harmful traditional practices 4. Improve strategic communicationfor SRH&RR 4.1 Target children, adolescents and youth, both in and out of school with age-appropriate and culturally sensitive comprehensive education on sexual and reproductive health that involves parents and communities 4.2 Institute effective behaviour change communication and information sharing mechanisms to promote SRH&RR services including initiatives to reduce gender inequality 4.3 Promote community involvement and participation in RMNCAH, with a special focus on the involvement of men. 25

26 STRATEGIC FOCUS 5. Invest in adolescents, youth and other vulnerable and marginalised populations PRIORITY INTERVENTIONS 5.1 Improve access to and uptake of quality SRH services for youth and adolescents including HPV vaccination 5.2 Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and good quality primary and secondary education 5.3. Invest in poor marginalized and empower and address their RHMNCAH challenges 6. Optimize the functioning of health system and improve human resource for RMNCAH 6.1 Strengthen primary health care systems by linking comprehensive, quality RMNCAH, HIV&AIDS, Malaria/TB services especially at all levels of the health system 6.2 Strengthen referral systems for RMNCAH services 6.3 Ensure the availability of the widest range of drugs/ medicines and commodities for RMNCAH 6.4 Expand access to high-impact health interventions such as immunization; skilled attendance at birth and quality care including EmONC for mothers and newborns and children; and access to contraception 6.5 Address the rising burden of reproductive cancers, including breast, cervical and prostate cancers, by investing in prevention strategies including the HPV vaccine and routine screening, early treatment at the primary care, and reliable referrals to higher levels of care 26

27 MAPUTO PLAN ACTION USER GUIDE SECTION 3 27

28 It is important that adolescents and young people, both individually and collectively make use of the Maputo Plan of Action to improve their access to SRH services and information in their communities. There are of course many ways in which the revised Maputo Plan of Action can be used by young people. You and your organisation can take action using this plan and conduct different activities ranging from programme implementation to advocacy.? USED HOW CAN THE MAPUTO PLAN OF ACTION BE TO TAKE ACTION Conduct high level and local advocacy Raise awareness and increase youth participation Build capacity of youth organisations 28

29 Below are a few suggestions from young people on how the Maputo Plan of Action can be used to take action. PURPOSE Conduct high level and local advocacy PURPOSE Raise awareness and increase youth participation ACTIVITY Request for a meeting with senior ministry officials. Write an open letter to your ministry of health. Participate in public debates and media programmes. Engage in local development and budget planning processes. Advocate for the translation of the MPoA into local languages ACTIVITY Organise community dialogues with young people Speak out to youth in and out of school about government commitments in the MPoA Make use of special events like World AIDS Day, 16 Days of Activism against GBV, International Day of the Child, International Youth Day to raise awareness on SRH&RR and MPoA GUIDING QUESTIONS What interventions in the MPoA is the government currently implementing or supporting? What efforts are in place to ensure that the vision enshrined in the Maputo Plan of Action is realised? How can young people help the government to implement key strategies and interventions in the Maputo plan of action? What has the government done to raise citizen awareness of MPoA? GUIDING QUESTIONS How much of the MPoA do youth leaders and young people know? How can adolescents and young people hold their government accountable to the plan of action? What skills do young people need tocontribute to the implementation of the plan of action? What national or local processes are strategic for the MPoA and how can young people be involved? PURPOSE Build capacity of youth organisations ACTIVITY Identify youth capacity needs in implementing SRH work. Identify strategies in the MPOA that are very important to youth in your setting Conduct online and physical training with youth organisations on the MPoA, SRH&RR and related commitments, advocacy and leadership. Identify innovative capacity building opportunities for vulnerable and marginalized adolescents and young people. GUIDING QUESTIONS What kind of support to youth need to implement proposed interventions in the MPoA? What are some of the strategies that are important to youth work in this setting? What do youth need to know about the MPoA? How can marginalised youth be reached with knowledge about the MPoA? 29

30 African Union Commission (AUC) Department for Human Resources, Science and Technology Human Resource and Youth Develpoment Divison P.O. Box 3243 Roosevelt Street (Old Airport Area) Tel: (251) W21K19 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) Senteu Plaza, 3rd Floor Lenana / Galana Junction Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (20) info@ippfaro.org Website: Facebook: IPPF Africa Region 30