CSTL Sharing Meeting 2014 [ Gatekeepers Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Programme ] Southern Sun O.R. Tambo - Johannesburg, South Africa November 2014 [Mpheng Molapo Ministry of Education and Training] [Lesotho]

Presentation Outline  Introduction  A description of the programme or policy  Achievements  Challenges  Opportunities/Emerging Issues  Key lessons learnt

Introduction The government of Lesotho is signatory of the ministerial commitment on Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Sexual and Reproductive Health services for adolescents and young people. 7 October 2014 different stakeholders( local authorities, school proprietors,youth,communities, church leaders and others) signed Gatekeepers SRHR statement of commitment. This activity was coordinated by the ministry of Education and Training(MoET) and Ministry of Health(MoH). Today’s presentation is on the Gatekeepers SRHR programme that is part of a comprehensive national response that indicates involvement of a wide variety of stakeholders.

Gatekeepers SRHR programme  Carers and Authorities are used to reach young people in schools on issues relating to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights(SRHR) information and Education.  Age-appropriate, culturally-sensitive and scientifically-accurate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights information and Education make a huge contribution to reducing sexual transmission of HIV.

Achievements  Extra Curricular Risk Reduction and Avoidance Handbook for Youth  National Minimum Standards and Implementation Guide for the Provision of Adolescent-Friendly Health Services  A Handbook for Integrating Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights into HIV Programmes  Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS- Life skills Course Book for Teacher Trainees.  Trained peer educators  ‘Thakaneng’

Challenges  Some of the manuals are not in Braille  Culturally it is taboo to discuss sexual issues between youth and elders  Making sure that all the initiatives being implemented are available to potential beneficiaries; Adolescents and young people.

Opportunities/Emerging Issues  The role of schools in promoting Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights among adolescents  Using Community and beneficiary Mobilisation approach; every community institution, NGO’s,FBO’s,and CSO’s has to identify its own strengths to respond to SRHR among adolescents and young people.  Restructuring of the curriculum to include SRHR issues

Opportunities/Emerging Issues Other than those listed above, these are some of the programmes being implemented by the government as means of Care and Support for Teaching and Learning. School feeding programme Psychosocial support services(training teachers in Lay counselling) Bursary scheme Child friendly schools programme Life skills education Cash transfer

Key Lessons Learnt  Parental involvement complements information and education on SRHR for adolescents and youth  Ministries and NGOs, FBO’s and CSO’s collectively complement each other to ensure that they develop a supportive environment conducive for SRHR information and Education for young people  Including adolescents and youth with disabilities in SRHR and life skills programmes will empower them to be functional members of the society

Rea leboha Thank you Merci from the Mountain Kingdom

Comments and Questions from the Floor & Other Panellists.