Funder: Propel Youth and Gender
Urban areas in developing countries are growing rapidly, drawing young people seeking better opportunities. However, for youth in informal settlements, this rapid urbanization comes with significant challenges. Limited access to healthcare, including family planning (FP) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, is compounded by poor infrastructure, climate-related stresses, and fragmented health systems. In response, Samasha, with support from IYF, is developing and testing practical recommendations to help local governments address barriers and opportunities in areas like policy, advocacy, financing, and governance.
The PROPEL Youth & Gender Project is designed to bridge these gaps by working with governments and organizations to create targeted strategies that meet the diverse needs of urban youth. By understanding the challenges, they face, fostering partnerships among municipalities, health departments, and youth groups, and actively involving young people in creating solutions, we ensure their voices are at the center of change. Climate-resilient approaches are also being integrated to address environmental challenges impacting urban youth.
This initiative aims to:
- Close gaps in SRH access for marginalized urban youth, ensuring their rights are fulfilled.
- Strengthen local governments with tools and strategies for better health program delivery.
- Empower communities by supporting youth-led organizations and CSOs to drive accountability and lasting change.
Urban youth, especially from marginalized communities, are often overlooked in health programs. By ensuring inclusivity and intersectionality, this project strives to guarantee that every young person, regardless of background, can access the SRH services they need. Together, we can create healthier communities and build a more equitable future for all.