For the next two years, from 2019 to 2021, Youth First will implement the SAHY program, which aims to build a healthy and supportive environment for youth to reach their full potential through multiple interventions.
With 60% of the Malagasy population between the ages of 14 and 30, young people have great potential for the country if they are empowered and have the resources to act to bring positive change. However, despite many youth development programs and initiatives, the issues are still numerous and are factors that prevent young people from reaching their full potential and being autonomous.
Among these problems, there are:
Gender-based violence (GBV) in schools, whether moral, physical, psychological, economic or sexual, limiting the developmental capacities of young people in a healthy environment.
Reproductive health and family planning, which is still a persistent problem in Madagascar where only 13.7% of young people aged 15 to 19 years use a modern method of contraception. Youth continues to face significant barriers to accessing SRPF services.
Menstrual hygiene management : menstruation is still taboo in society and sex education in schools is still insufficient when it comes to menstrual hygiene. Lack of access to sanitary napkins and sanitary facilities increases girls' absenteeism rates, directly impacting their education.
Online security issues in a country where 2 million people have access to the Internet, 91% of which is Facebook. Online activities are still not controlled and users are not immune to the danger that Internet represents (abusive images, harassment, hacking ...). The young population remains vulnerable to online forms of danger, putting a brake on their ability to develop.
Lack of data on young people in Madagascar, data concerning young people being still very limited, impacting the implementation of policies, laws or even development of programs representing the real needs of young people.
The aims of the SAHY program
- Develop life skills for youth to promote healthy and responsible behaviors;
- Promote and facilitate access to youth-friendly services;
- Help to build a favorable socio-political environment for the development of the full potential of young people;
- Conduct research on youth issues in schools and online.
Our projects in a few words
- The elaboration of the Toolkit "Tanora SAHY
- The launching of "Mahatsangy Clubs", youth structure and space for discussion and community initiative
- Sensibilization to young people's online safety and promotion of the use of the internet as a tool for youth development
- Develop a mobile application
- The promotion of youth-friendly services through online platforms (application, website ..)
- Promotion and awareness of menstrual hygiene
- Establishment of the Young Leaders Platform, bringing together youth and youth structures to promote participation through advocacy and monitoring of youth policies and programs.
