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About the Programme

Imagine a world where young people in Southern Africa thrive. A world where they are healthy, confident and in control of their lives. That's the vision behind the Safeguard Young People (SYP) programme, catalysing change in East and Southern Africa since 2013.

SYP is building a brighter future for adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24, especially girls. We're helping them make informed choices and navigate life’s challenges with confidence, providing a shield against:

  • Unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions – by learning about healthy relationships, family planning and making responsible choices.
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV – by getting accurate information, accessing essential health care and staying protected.
  • Early marriage and harmful cultural practices – by understanding rights, breaking free from unfair traditions and pursuing their dreams.
  • Gender-based violence and unfair treatment – by learning to speak up, being treated with respect and fighting for equality for all.

But SYP isn't just about protection, it's about empowerment. We help young people:

  • Develop important life skills – by building confidence, learning to communicate effectively and making informed decisions.
  • Access education and opportunities – by reaching their full potential through quality education and support for their goals.
  • Become active citizens – by making their voice heard, influencing decisions and building a better future for everyone.

The holistic approach of this transformative initiative sets it apart.

Holistic vision and action

Empowering youth

The essence of SYP lies in its belief that young people must be supported comprehensively in their diverse and complex environments to unlock their full potential. The programme prioritizes adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24, with a special focus on the vulnerable age group of 15 to 19-year-olds, especially girls in HIV-prevalent areas and those at risk of pregnancy. To tackle challenges like gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and child marriage, SYP identifies and engages change agents actively involved in implementing youth initiatives.

SYP adopts a cooperative approach, actively involving young people as partners, advisors, implementers and beneficiaries at regional and country levels. The programme collaborates with diverse partners, including ministries of health, education, youth and gender; traditional leaders; civil society and community-based partners.

© UNFPA Lesotho
Main areas of activity

Main areas of activity

Policy: Reshaping landscapes for young people’s sexual and reproductive health 

SYP has played a pivotal role in reshaping policies and legislation related to young people's sexual reproductive health and rights. Strategic partnerships with key entities at continental, regional and national levels have transformed the policy landscape for young people's SRHR.

Youth leadership: Fostering advocacy and accountability

The programme actively involves young people in policy-level engagements, including the SYP steering committee. Through strategic capacity-building initiatives, more than 8000 youth network members and 46 youth organizations have been equipped with skills for effective advocacy and leadership.

Empowerment: Comprehensive sexuality education 

SYP empowers young people through comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). By providing life-saving, age-relevant and scientifically accurate information, CSE equips young people to safeguard their health, develop health-promoting and gender-transformative attitudes, and acquire essential life skills. The programme has reached more than 17 million learners across 76,000 schools and recorded 40 million exposures of young people to SRHR information and education through communication campaigns and community-based CSE programming. It has also integrated mental and menstrual health, and economic empowerment into its interventions.

Services: Equitable access to adolescent and youth-friendly health services

SYP ensures equitable access to adolescent and youth-friendly health services (AYFHS). It aims to ensure that young people feel welcomed when seeking these services, increasing their likelihood of returning to the health facility and recommending the services to peers. Through training initiatives, more than 21,000 providers are now equipped to deliver AYFHS. Over 1,300 health service delivery points offering a standardized package of AYFHS have reached more than 14 million adolescents and young people with integrated SRHR services. 

Evidence, Knowledge Sharing and South-South learning

SYP’s interventions are evidence-based, incorporating the latest research findings and proven methodologies. Documenting and sharing best practices and fostering South-South learning among the participating countries enhance the programme's effectiveness, ensuring it stays aligned with young people’s evolving needs.

Impact and growth

Building a robust support network

Originally launched with eight participating countries, SYP expanded its reach to a further four countries and is now implemented in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The success of the programme is underpinned by robust financial support and influential partnerships. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funded the initiative in 2013, and in 2021, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands bolstered their support. Endorsements from key stakeholders, including the African Union, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), non-governmental agencies, and various United Nations entities, ensure the programme's sustained impact and growth.

© UNFPA Rwanda

Activations

Tuneme.org is a mobile site (mobisite) designed for low- and high-end devices in environments where high data charges and poor network coverage combine to limit access to online services. Through social features and content designed to engage users rather than lecture, Tune Me aims to equip adolescents with the information and motivation they need to make better choices. Download the app here.

The Let’s Talk! Campaign invites the people of Eastern and Southern Africa to engage in conversations about early and unintended pregnancy. The campaign encourages intergenerational dialogue and community activation as a means to foster change across all levels of society, through three main pillars.

  • Health: Advocating for increased access to sexual reproductive health services (including contraception) for all adolescents and young people, without judgment or discrimination.
  • Education: Ensuring that adolescents and young people have access to good quality comprehensive sexuality education to equip them to make informed life choices and prevent early and unintended pregnancy.
  • Rights: Ensuring that all adolescents and young people know their rights and are empowered to make decisions regarding sexuality, health and education that will allow them to reach their full potential.  The webpage contains many helpful resources, including the radio drama series and videos of the regional champions.    

More about SYP

Results Recommendations

Videos

Results Recommendations

Journal articles

Results Recommendations

Publications

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Video spotlight

Variations in the Menstrual Cycle: Get to know your cycle

This video reviews the stages of the menstrual cycle and talks about how it can vary in terms of how long it lasts and how often it comes, especially when girls are first getting their periods, which is totally normal.

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