AmplifyChange Network Grant 2015 – 2017 Program
The AmplifyChange fund committed funds to break the silence on sexual reproductive health and rights by providing grants to CSOs to advocate for and support policy , on marginalized sexual and reproductive health issues. The grants aimed to empower young people, women and men to realize their sexual reproductive health and rights.
The Alliance implemented two Network grants between 2015-2017 and 2018-2020. Both grants focused on improving the sexual reproductive health and rights of young people and girls aged 10-24 by increasing their access to comprehensive SRHR information and services through collaborative efforts of civil society organizations. The program was implemented by all the 17 members within the Alliance.
The funds priorities included improving access to safe abortion or working to decriminalise it, protecting the sexual health of young people, or challenging female genital mutilation or discrimination on grounds of gender or sexual orientation.
The strategies used were; Organizational Capacity Building; Evidence Gathering; Communication and Network Strengthening.
The AmplifyChange Network Grant 2015-2017 and 2018-2020 projects addressed specific issues around thematic areas such as:
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Gender-based violence, including sexual violence and female genital mutilation, and ending child, early and forced marriage
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Access to comprehensive reproductive health services for socially and economically marginalized and vulnerable people
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Sexual health of young people and girls including through comprehensive sexuality education and ending child, early and forced marriage and menstrual hygiene management.
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Challenging stigma, discrimination, attitudes and laws.
The five expected outcomes for the AmplifyChange network grant 2015-2017 include:
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Stronger, more inclusive movements for SRHR,
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Increased individual awareness of SRHR as human rights,
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Increased access to SRHR resources, information and services,
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Transforming social norms
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Changes policies and laws.
The project increased access to SRH information by young people and girls through evidence-based interventions by CSO partners and through the National CSE curriculum. Increased knowledge levels will contribute to better decision making on SRHR/HIV issues leading to a reduction in new HIV infections, AIDs related deaths and SGBV.
The project contributed to increased access and uptake of SRH services by the target groups; reviewed the national guidelines on youth friendly services YFS whose aim is to increase the number of facilities offering YFS.
Community SRHR champions contributed to increased community awareness on harmful practices such as FGM, helped in promoting alternative rites of passage. and addressed barriers to non-utilization of SRH services. The project also contributed to increased budgetary allocation for SRHR in various counties translating to better service delivery.
