Access to contraception is one of many tools that equips young people with the power to make the decisions that define their lives – even now, during COVID-19.
But with stretched resources amidst programming pivots, COVID-19 has further extended the divide between young people and their ability to make their reproductive health choices.
To serve young people, we need to understand young people – their specific needs and their unique experiences around life in pandemic. Their voices, by extension, must #BeThere, in the room where the programmatic and policy-based decisions happen around the solutions that serve them.
On Aug. 12, young leaders from across PSI (including A360 Tanzania’s very own Christine Massawe), the International Youth Alliance for Family Planning, 120 under 40, Family Planning 2020 and the Self Care Trailblazers Group shared their experiences during the #BeThere International Youth Day Twitter chat – a global dialogue led by youth for youth to discuss young people’s contraceptive needs amidst life in pandemic.
#BeThere to listen in – catch up on the Twitter conversation here.
Hi all! @ChristinaMassa8 here, a PSI @Adolesents360 Tanzania Young Designer/Youth Officer. Thrilled to be joining the conversation today and taking over the @PSIImpact Twitter handle! #BeThere #IYD2020
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
Q1: Typically, how do you make choices about your health and body? How has COVID-19 changed your approach? #BeThere #IYD2020 pic.twitter.com/Y4dUi9Lloe
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
Q2: Since #COVID19 started, what digital tech and/or social media channels do you turn to for trusted #AYSRH information? What gaps have you found in digital access? #BeThere #IYD2020 pic.twitter.com/oKvVv62bX8
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
Q3: Many of you have told us that privacy is key to making #SRH choices. What does privacy and confidentiality look like for you during #COVID19? #BeThere #IYD2020 pic.twitter.com/PgQuZq2qjy
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
Q4: Trust is key to inspiring us, young people, to meet with a provider for #AYSRH services. What do you need to feel that you can trust the health system that serves you? #BeThere #IYD2020 pic.twitter.com/nAOO3X0A01
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
Q5: What are some of the main areas that #AYSRH programs overlook? #BeThere #IYD2020 pic.twitter.com/qDv2ontMf5
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
Q6: How have self administered #SRH tools – like #HIV self-testing or contraceptive self-injection – supported you during #COVID19? #selfcare #BeThere #IYD2020
A6: Youth can have potential access to expand safe and effective long acting contraception usability pic.twitter.com/YbUjMc4ZBY— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
Q7: When have you felt most supported to contribute your voice & expertise to design #AYSRH programs? What additional skills would you like to learn? #BeThere #IYD2020 pic.twitter.com/04CPcHU6qK
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
Q8: During #COVID19 and beyond, what is the 1 thing adults should know about working with young people? #BeThere #IYD2020 pic.twitter.com/TcumuCO5bb
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
Q9: Power is in your hands ??. With unlimited access to funding, what creative solution would you develop to guarantee that every young person who wants to can choose contraception? #BeThere #IYD2020 pic.twitter.com/Sg4cpSOn1W
— PSI (@PSIimpact) August 12, 2020
