Her Future, Her Choice (HFHC)
The Situation
Adolescent birth rates in some areas of sub-Saharan Africa are among the highest in the world.
Despite significant advances in preventing maternal and child mortality, the adolescent birth rate in sub-Saharan Africa is more than double the global average. The high pregnancy rate in adolescent girls is exacerbated by a lack of education and family planning resources and a low demand for and use of contraceptives. Women also often lack decision-making power in matters related to reproductive health.
The health and well-being of women and adolescent girls are affected by gender inequality, social norms, traditional practices and taboos regarding sexuality. Sexual and reproductive health and rights interventions are significantly needed in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia.
Canada also faces significant challenges around reproductive health services and sexual education. The availability of these services varies depending on where a person lives, and some people experience obstacles in accessing abortion and contraceptive care. Comprehensive sexuality education is not uniform across the country and does not always meet international standards.
DETAILS
LOCATION
Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Canada
DURATION
6 years (2019-2025)
Lire la description du programme en français (PDF).
OUR SUPPORTERS
This project is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada, and the generous Canadian public.
What are we doing?
EDUCATION
Training public health workers and working with girls, women and men to change negative attitudes about sexual and reproductive health and rights.
STRENGTHENING SERVICES
Supporting quality, youth-friendly services, better referrals and access to sexual and reproductive health services and information in schools.
ADVOCACY
Collaborating with organizations in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to become stronger and more effective in their advocacy work.
What do we hope to achieve?
Her Future, Her Choice responds to a direct need for information, services and social change. Together with local organizations, we are putting sexual and reproductive health decision-making back in the hands of young women and adolescent girls.
We are working to ensure young women have access to the vital health information and services they deserve, while training public health workers, changing negative attitudes on sexual and reproductive health and advocating for women’s bodily autonomy and rights.
We're also raising the profile of sexual and reproductive health and rights across Canada. We support youth-led sexual health and rights advocacy, mobilization, and educational campaigns.
When women and girls have meaningful decision-making power over their lives and their bodies, they thrive.
The ultimate outcome of Her Future, Her Choice is improved sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescent girls and young women in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Canada.
Our project partners
International Partner
Canada
Ethiopia
- Women Support Associaton (WSA)
Malawi
- Centre for Alternatives for Victimized Women and Children (CAVWOC)
- Network for Youth Development (NfYD)
- Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM)
Mozambique
- Núcleo das Associações Femininas da Zambézia (NAFEZA)
- Women and Law in Southern Africa Mozambique (WLSA)
Zambia
- Generation Alive
- Planned Parenthood Association of Zambia (PPAZ)
- Women in Law and Development in Africa