Zambia: Transforming Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services With Research

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Young Women engaged in sexual and reproductive health. CARE International/Gift Katuta


A recent baseline report, under the SHE SOARS program in the Eastern Province of Zambia, indicates that two in a small of five adolescent girls and young women were already mothers. With the greatest need for sexual and reproductive health services, the Out-Of-School Adolescent mothers either have little access to sexual and reproductive services or are excluded from traditional adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programming. 


In the Chadiza District, Maryner Lungu had a dream of positively impacting her peers through a community group. The 19-year-old said, “My journey as a youth researcher started in 2021 as a dream which I shared with a few friends. I remember telling my friends how much I wanted to be part of a group that could create an environment for me to inspire and influence young people in the community. A few of my friends discouraged me as the dream seemed impossible."


In partnership with the Center for Reproductive Rights, Restless Development, and the Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights, CARE International in Zambia introduced the SHE-SOARS project. It aimed to improve access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services among out-of-school adolescents in Chadiza, Kasenengwa, and Mambwe Districts of Zambia.

Mayner Lungu, a young researcher under SHE SOARS, in Chadiza District. CARE International/Gift Katuta

Maryner's journey took a significant turn when she saw a job vacancy for a young researcher through SHE-SOARS and applied successfully. Young researchers like Maryner underwent training to collect data and information on issues affecting young people in the community and their potential solutions. The young researchers found out that some cultural norms limit young people from accessing sexual and reproductive health services, leading to early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. “The research also helped the young people in the community to suggest solutions to the issues affecting them,” said Maryner. 


Maryner said, “Before the coming of SHE-SOARS, young people could not freely talk about sexual and reproductive health issues with elderly people in the community as it was a taboo. SHE-SOARS came to train health workers on creating a friendly environment for young people to freely access sexual and reproductive health services,” she added. 


According to Maryner, there has been a shift of beliefs concerning access to sexual and reproductive health services in the community. Maryner adds, “Talking about sexual and reproductive health services was a big challenge for me as young people were not allowed to talk about such things. With time, people have started to accept and understand that young people need access to sexual and reproductive health services too."


Over time, there was a significant shift in attitudes within the community. Young people began to openly discuss sexual and reproductive health, and it was no longer a topic shrouded in silence. Maryner believes that the realization that young people need role models and the passion to challenge toxic cultural norms are essential in transforming the community.


Maryner's mother played a crucial role in inspiring her to stay focused and continue her mission to bring about positive change. She aspires to become a better person, help more community members, involve young people in designing interventions to address their challenges, and even establish her NGO. “I would also like to see more health structures which specifically respond to what young people want,” Maryner concludes.  


SHE-SOARS (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Economic Empowerment Supporting Out-of-school Adolescent Girls' Rights and Skills) is a Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded project meant to improve access to sexual and reproductive health services among out-of-school adolescents in Chadiza, Kasenengwa, and Mambwe Districts of Eastern Province – Zambia. 




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