The establishment of Adolescent Information Corners (AICs) in schools, youth clubs and clinics has greatly improved adolescents' knowledge of sexual and reproductive health issues, taboo subjects in Egypt until recently. Here young people have access to a wide range of audio-visual and printed materials on topics related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health, including early marriage, breastfeeding, puberty, menstruation and female genital mutilation/cutting, among other subjects. This initiative is being implemented by UNFPA and the Egyptian Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (EFPRHA, the national International Planned Parenthood Federation affiliate).
By mid 2006, 24 Adolescent Information Corners had been set up throughout the country. Each Corner is equipped with copiers, scanners, a computer, a digital photo camera and a video camera. The AICs are coordinated by a central unit in Cairo, which also produces informational and educational materials and carries out advocacy campaigns.
The Corners are groundbreaking in a country where even the term 'sex education' is deeply controversial. School biology lessons often skip the subject of human reproduction altogether. In order to fully address the lack of information available to young people, EFPRHA has trained adolescent peer educators in eight cities, including the capital. They are breaking the silence on adolescent reproductive health. Interest among young people in these subjects is growing by the week, and thousands of young people have visited the AICs or met with local peer educators.
The peer education approach is taking root in Egypt. The BBC recently devoted a documentary and web site to the initiative. The Ministry of Education has also established Anti-AIDS Clubs in five different secondary schools as a pilot project to see if such clubs can be entry points for educating young people about other aspects of reproductive and sexual health. At the same time, the Ministry of Health conducted seminars in secondary schools to address these issues. Moderated by physicians and religious leaders, these seminars proved to be excellent forums for discussing sensitive topics.
In addition, UNFPA is improving the capacity of clinics to provide youth-friendly services. Since health staff generally find it difficult to deal with adolescent reproductive health concerns, UNFPA is training doctors and nurses to provide confidential counselling, along with services more appropriate to their needs.
Both the Adolescent Information Corners and the youth friendly clinics are making an impact in Egypt. The number of youth using health services has increased markedly over the past two years. This initiative is at the forefront of change and the Government is monitoring progress very closely with the view of replicating the results.
The careful planning and comprehensive approach to implementation has proved effective. . Another angle that captured the attention of the Government and donors alike was the fact that EFPRHA included youth in the design and execution of the project and also placed two young people on its Board of Directors. "We found that you need to involve all stakeholders in the process to make it successful," points out Khalifa. "We involved teachers, parents, community leaders and young people in all phases of the project. And this has made all the difference."
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