Promotion of access to sexual and reproductive health and mental health rights and services for vulnerable populations in Tunisia

 

This project aims to improve young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Tunisia. The project will develop new approaches based on the research results for the upgrading of SRH programs specific to young people, and in particular those in vulnerable situations (young people from poor neighbourhoods, and/or who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual, and/or who are living with disabilities).

Three important factors condition young people's access to SRH services in Tunisia: their health, including SRH and psychosocial wellbeing and their knowledge of health problems related to sexuality and gender; the quality of the services offered to young people, including service providers’ behaviours and how they are perceived by young people; and finally, the attitude of key stakeholders and decision-makers in the field of SRH who may harbour gender and sexuality social norms and values that may not align with young people’s need for SRH services.

This project will use a participatory approach promoting the sharing of information between the different project partners, including youth representatives at non-governmental organizations, service providers and key stakeholders at public and private organizations at the regional level. Research methods will include quantitative-based surveys, qualitative interviewing and focus group discussions with young people, health-care providers and service providers, including non-governmental organizations. A data platform will be built and a knowledge-sharing coalition will be established to increase awareness among stakeholders. Results will be used to improve existing youth SRH programs and strengthen the psychosocial aspects of such programs and services to better integrate them.

This project is part of a second cohort of research projects on the understudied area of the interface between sexual and reproductive health and rights and mental health.