Plan International Malawi 60d ago

The Youth Friendly and Health Services(YFHS II) Project (2022–2025), implemented by Plan International Malawi in Mzimba North and South, has helped transform access to inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for adolescents and youth aged 10–24, including those with disabilities. Working in partnership with Tovwirane Organisation and the Evangelical Association of Malawi, the project addressed key challenges such as teenage pregnancies, child marriages, school dropouts, and stigma by promoting youth-friendly, gender-responsive services. Key Impact include: • SRHR service access more than doubled (25.5% to 57.8%) • Teenage pregnancies reduced from 31.3% to 9% • Youth confidence in making informed SRHR decisions rose to 83.4% • 98% of young people now report positive family discussions on SRHR • Traditional leaders’ engagement increased to 100% Across 29 health facilities including Enukweni, Emsizini, and Hora the project strengthened service delivery, improved infrastructure, and expanded outreach to underserved communities. Through community engagement, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), youth economic empowerment, and innovative platforms like sports outreach and scorecards, the initiative is shifting harmful norms and building more inclusive health systems. However, gaps remain. Limited access to services, weak health systems, low uptake of SGBV support, and socio-economic challenges continue to put young people at risk. Sustained investment is critical to scale up progress, reduce teenage pregnancies, and ensure every young person can make informed choices about their health and future. We do not own any rights to any of the music