Jeunes3 Programme Comes to a Close

JeuneS3 focused on improving adolescent and youth sexual reproductive health. (Photo: Cordaid) - The JeuneS3 (Santé, Sécurité, Sexualité) programme, which focused on improving adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health in four Francophone African countries, has come to a close after four successful years. Swiss TPH, within a consortia led by Cordaid, contributed to the implementation of the national life skills education programme in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which supported young people being able to make informed decisions about their health, and to ensure that their rights are respected. Globally, adolescent and young people are in need of urgent support to safeguard their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in view of high rates of new HIV infections among this target group, early and unintended pregnancies, and other legal and societal barriers to accessing services. In conflict-prone and fragile contexts, women and young girls in particular are highly vulnerable. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) alone, 28% of young women aged 19-24 have experienced sexual violence. For four years (2016-2020), the JeuneS3 (Santé, Sécurité, Sexualité) programme, which was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ensured that young people were able to make informed choices about their SRHR through four intervention areas: youth voice and participation; knowledge and skills; responsive services and enabling environment and respect of rights.