Issue
The ongoing conflict in Cameroon’s North-West region has had a significant impact on access to essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, with women and girls adversely affected.
How we are helping
This project aims to strengthen young women’s representation and participation in health governance structures in three districts of the North-West region of Cameroon, while enhancing their ability to advocate for their sexual and reproductive health needs.
About the project
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the ongoing conflict in Cameroon’s North-West region has severely exacerbated the vulnerability of women and girls to SRH risks, including unwanted pregnancies and gender-based violence. At the same time, and despite government commitments to promote the inclusion of women and young people in healthcare decision-making, young women remain significantly underrepresented in key community health governance structures, including Health Area Health Committees (HAHC) and District Health Committees (DHC). This lack of representation impedes their ability to effectively advocate for their needs and rights.
Project partner, EASYHEALTH, will equip young women to advocate for their SRH needs and facilitate participation in relevant health governance structures in Cameroon’s North-West region.
This will be achieved by:
- training 60 young women on SRH rights, communication, advocacy and leadership skills
- providing specialised training to 20 young women interested in pursuing appointed positions within existing health dialogue structures at the local and district level
- recruiting and training mentors with expertise in SRH rights and advocacy to offer ongoing guidance and support to young women participating in project activities
- facilitating youth participation in committee meetings, by providing orientation sessions and logistical support
- organising a regional multi-stakeholder meeting where young women can advocate for their SRH needs and priorities
- conducting dialogue meetings with administrators from five health facilities to advocate for the establishment of dedicated youth-friendly SRH services
- hosting engagement sessions with healthcare providers to strengthen the delivery of such services.
Easyhealth will engage with health governance structures at both local and district levels in the North-West region, as well as healthcare providers, youth-led organisations and networks, and community leaders and influencers. EASYHEALTH will collaborate closely with the North-West Regional Fund for Health Promotion, the body responsible for overseeing health dialogue structures, with which the organisation already has a memorandum of understanding.
As a result of this project, it is hoped that young women in Cameroon’s North-West region have access to dedicated youth-friendly SRH services and are better represented in community health governance structures to more effectively advocate for their needs and rights.
Project Partners
Easyhealth’s goal is to achieve equality in healthcare for all vulnerable groups. Their mission is to empower vulnerable young persons in under-served communities with accessible, affordable, and effective digital sexual and reproductive health services, communicable and non-communicable disease prevention tools, promoting their well-being and resilience. Their vision is a world where all young people, regardless of their circumstances, have equal access to health services and are empowered to make informed decisions about their health.
We support people's participation in democracy and development by providing grants, platforms, and expertise.
