Youth Take the Initiative
in ASRH Development in the Philippines
The sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents,
the next generation, are increasingly being addressed by local
and national government. From 20th to 23rd May, the third
Capiz Youth Camp on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
was held under the Capiz Integrated Community-based RH Project
(PHI/05/01/P17), which is implemented jointly by JOICFP and
the Local Government of Capiz Province under the 5th UNFPA
Country Program, supported by the Trust Fund for Human Security.
Over 200 youths from 15 to 19 years old, as well as 15 parent
leaders, attended to learn about adolescent SRH with a holistic
approach integrating social, psychological, physical, emotional
and spiritual aspects of youth development. Youth participants
from other municipalities in Capiz also attended.
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The winning
poster on theme of empowered youths
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Prior to the event, youth facilitators and peer educators
took part in training to prepare for the camp, and this was
characterized by their leadership in its organization and
management. This was highlighted by peer educators who have
fully supported the youth camp as mentors of the youth facilitators
since the 1st Capiz Youth Camp.
The Camp Management Committee consisted of representatives
from various concerned provincial bodies, local government
units, Capiz State University, peer educators and youth communicators.
In particular, Pontevedra LGU took leadership in hosting the
event, supporting it with their local police and other services.
This was the third time for the committee to manage the camp,
and they now have sufficient knowledge to organize a camp
by themselves since this is the last camp under the project.
Youth members took initiative not only in facilitation but
also in logistics.
Camp highlights
The fourth day of the camp saw a poster-making contest in
which participating youths had one hour to design and draw
a poster on the theme of "Empowered youths as partners
in the promotion of sustainable development of the community." The winning poster symbolizes the hands of youth, both boys
and girls, working together with their roots in the community,
highlighting the rays of different services and the importance
of knowledge, all of which together can make the world a peaceful
place.
Using performance in a session on the Rights of Youths and
Adolescents, 'stop-motion' action was used to illustrate points
such as the right to education, the right to live without
fear and the right to adolescent SRH services.
Youths who participated in the camp are expected to work
as youth communicators in each community with the knowledge
and life skills they learned during the event.
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During the stop-motion action performance |
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