Youth advocacy in Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) aims to address the systematic barriers faced by young people when seeking reproductive healthcare. And in self-managed medical abortion, youth advocacy is an essential movement that aims to empower young people to take charge of their reproductive health and make informed decisions about their bodies. With the rising challenges and limitations surrounding access to safe and legal abortion services, particularly in restrictive settings, it is crucial to ensure that young people have the correct information, necessary resources and support to access self-managed medical abortion care safely and effectively. Self-managed medical abortion allows individuals to have more control over their reproductive choices, provided they have access to accurate information, support, and quality medication.

Understanding the importance of self-managed medical abortion care in addressing maternal morbidity and deaths arising from unsafe abortions, Self-Managed Medical Abortion Advocacy (SMAA) project implementation integrated youth advocacy with a focus to raise awareness and provide accurate and evidence-based information about self-managed medical abortion care, emphasizing its safety and effectiveness. By dispelling myths and misconceptions surrounding self-managed medical abortion, young people are able to make informed decisions about their reproductive health based on scientific evidence-based facts rather than barriers such as stigma or fear. Our work with the youth is to challenge any barriers or potential barriers to ensure that young people have the autonomy over their reproductive decisions and can access the resources they need without unnecessary obstacles. Our advocacy with young people also focus on providing emotional and practical support to individuals going through self-managed medical abortion process. This involves creating groups, and virtual communities where young people can share their experiences, ask questions, and receive support from trained peers and healthcare professionals. By fostering a safe and non-judgmental space, the ZAGO youth advocates ensure that individuals feel empowered and informed throughout their self-managed medical abortion journey. We do understand that self-managed medical abortion care is an integral part of the broaderreproductive justice program, as it recognizes that reproductive decisions should be made autonomously, irrespective of age, socioeconomic status, or geographical location – further highlighting the importance of youth voices in shaping policies and tackling pervasive societal stigma related to abortion.

Thanks ZAGO youth advocates for your valuable contributions to the project. We believe after this training, you are fully equipped and empowered with the necessary tools for community sensitization against unsafe abortions.