RTK - Zambia Profile
Young people as a percentage of total population:
34% (age 10-24)
Estimated percentage of young people living with HIV/AIDS:
Female – 25.2%
Male – 9.7%
RTK INITIATIVE STATUS
Phase I: Planning for RTK -- Completed
Phase II: Participatory Action Research -- Initiated; to be completed upon receipt of funding
Phase III: Research development and Implementation of Communication Strategy -- To be initiated 2003
PURPOSE
The overall goal of the Initiative is to develop and implement appropriate participatory communication strategies that will enable at least 50% of young people in each “Right to Know” [RTK] Zambia country site to make positive informed decisions to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and to lead healthy lives.
PRIORITY ACTIVITIES, 2002-2003:
- Identify and involve NGOs/CBOs/individuals in the community who can influence young people in a positive manner
- Conduct participatory research to identify information use/needs of young people as a basis for communication strategies.
- Develop culturally appropriate information and communication strategies/approaches related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control among young people (i.e., drama, poetry, songs).
OBJECTIVES
- To strengthen the capacity of all participating youth NGOs and partners in participatory research methodologies and development of an appropriate communication strategy;
- To contribute to improvement of utilisation of Youth Friendly Health Services (YFHS) among young people by at least 50%;
- To promote use of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) services among young people;
- To advocate for the integration of life skills in the training programmes for young people in schools, youth resource centres, and other institutions targeting young people;
PARTNERS AND LINKAGES
- Steering Committee: CBOH representative, MSYCD (Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Affairs Department) representative, National AIDS Council, National Youth Council, UNICEF, UNFPA, and other CBOs/NGOs (youth leaders) and institutions working with young people;
- University of Zambia (UNZA) as the collaborating research institution;
- Urban Self-Help (PUSH) as the youth co-ordination group;
- In close collaboration with the Adolescent Health Project, MSYCD;
- Youth Action Committee comprised of over 15 youth NGOs.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE
- Eastern and Southern Africa RTK Training, Lusaka 2002;
- Formation of Steering Committee and Youth Action Committee, workplan development, and proposal development with young people;
- Two sites identified for phase two PAR; initiated in Mutendere Compound; to be initiated in six others;
- Development of RTK training protocol module and monitoring and evaluation process forms.
Source
UNICEF Right to Know Initiative, November 2002.
Placed on the Soul Beat Africa site November 18 2002
Last Updated April 16 2009
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