1. YOUNG MEN AS EQUALYOUNG MEN AS EQUAL
PARTNERS (YMEP)PARTNERS (YMEP)
PROJECTPROJECT
PRESENTATION BY MR. ODENY SALIMPRESENTATION BY MR. ODENY SALIM
YIP COORDINATOR, YMEP PROJECT.YIP COORDINATOR, YMEP PROJECT.
AT LENANA HOUSE,KICC NAIROBI.AT LENANA HOUSE,KICC NAIROBI.
ON 18ON 18THTH
JUNE 2008 AT 2:15PM – 4:15JUNE 2008 AT 2:15PM – 4:15
PMPM

2. PROJECT OVERVIEWPROJECT OVERVIEW
 The project is implemented by fourThe project is implemented by four
Member Associations (MAs) affiliated toMember Associations (MAs) affiliated to
the International Planned Parenthoodthe International Planned Parenthood
Federation (IPPF)Federation (IPPF)
 The four MAs are based in Kenya, Uganda,The four MAs are based in Kenya, Uganda,
Tanzania and Zambia.Tanzania and Zambia.
 They work directly under and areThey work directly under and are
coordinated by IPPF Africa Regional Officecoordinated by IPPF Africa Regional Office
in Nairobi and Project Regional Office inin Nairobi and Project Regional Office in
Dar-Salaam.Dar-Salaam.

3. PROJECT OVERVIEW cont’dPROJECT OVERVIEW cont’d
 The YMEP Project fits very well withinThe YMEP Project fits very well within
the 5As and therefore within the MAsthe 5As and therefore within the MAs
and IPPF’s strategic plans.and IPPF’s strategic plans.
 In kenya the project is implementedIn kenya the project is implemented
in Bondo District:in Bondo District:
• Usigu DivisionUsigu Division
 West Yimbo LocationWest Yimbo Location
 Central Yimbo LocationCentral Yimbo Location

4. PROJECT OVERVIEW cont’dPROJECT OVERVIEW cont’d
 Homa-Bay District:Homa-Bay District:
• Ndhiwa DivisionNdhiwa Division
 West Kanyamwa LocationWest Kanyamwa Location
 Central Kanyamwa LocationCentral Kanyamwa Location
 Nyando District:Nyando District:
• Muhoroni DivisionMuhoroni Division
 Chemelil LocationChemelil Location
 Muhoroni LocationMuhoroni Location

5. PROJECT OVERVIEW cont’dPROJECT OVERVIEW cont’d
 The Project Goal:The Project Goal:
• To contribute to the improvement ofTo contribute to the improvement of
SRH&R of young people in Kenya,SRH&R of young people in Kenya,
Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.
 The Project Purpose:The Project Purpose:
• To increase adoption of safer sexualTo increase adoption of safer sexual
practises and utilization of SRH servicespractises and utilization of SRH services
by young men aged 10 to 24 years inby young men aged 10 to 24 years in
the project sites.the project sites.

6. PROJECT OVERVIEW cont’dPROJECT OVERVIEW cont’d
 Expected outputs/resultsExpected outputs/results
1.1. Access to information and education onAccess to information and education on
gender and SRH&R among young mengender and SRH&R among young men
and women increased.and women increased.
2.2. Involvement and participation of youngInvolvement and participation of young
men in SRH promotion includingmen in SRH promotion including
HIV/AIDS prevention increased.HIV/AIDS prevention increased.
3.3. Utilization of SRH services by youngUtilization of SRH services by young
men and young women increasedmen and young women increased

7. Expected outputs/results cont’dExpected outputs/results cont’d
4.4. Use of VCT services by young men andUse of VCT services by young men and
young women increased.young women increased.
5.5. YMEP activities integrated intoYMEP activities integrated into
respective District Plans and those ofrespective District Plans and those of
Implementing Partners for scaling-upImplementing Partners for scaling-up
and/or sustainability.and/or sustainability.
6.6. Regional capacity for integratingRegional capacity for integrating
gender and sexuality in RH services;gender and sexuality in RH services;
Monitoring& Evaluation;Monitoring& Evaluation;
Documentation of success stories; andDocumentation of success stories; and
Operations Research enhanced.Operations Research enhanced.

8. Carry Forward ActivitiesCarry Forward Activities
►National review meetingsNational review meetings
►Training of male health care providersTraining of male health care providers
►Training of other health care providersTraining of other health care providers
►Renovation of health facilitiesRenovation of health facilities
►Advocacy meetings at National levelsAdvocacy meetings at National levels
►Training of puppeteersTraining of puppeteers
►IEC materials productionsIEC materials productions

9. New ActivitiesNew Activities
Moon light VCT outreachesMoon light VCT outreaches
Refresher trainingsRefresher trainings
Purchase of puppetry equipmentsPurchase of puppetry equipments
Training of parentsTraining of parents
Sensitization of head teachersSensitization of head teachers
Train young VCT counsellorsTrain young VCT counsellors
Orient partners on YMEP concept.Orient partners on YMEP concept.
Training of youths as NTOTsTraining of youths as NTOTs

10. Lessons learntLessons learnt
 The strategy of linking young men, male peer educators,The strategy of linking young men, male peer educators,
male teachers and male SRH service providers leads tomale teachers and male SRH service providers leads to
effective address of male SRH needs.effective address of male SRH needs.
 Men get and accept information through fellow menMen get and accept information through fellow men
 Use of peer education to mobilise fellow youth helpUse of peer education to mobilise fellow youth help
increase VCT uptake by young men.increase VCT uptake by young men.
 Outreach by health care providers enhances servicesOutreach by health care providers enhances services
uptake and effective referral from the community to healthuptake and effective referral from the community to health
facilities. New strategy of two or more days on site isfacilities. New strategy of two or more days on site is
effective for those who take time to decide when to beeffective for those who take time to decide when to be
tested.tested.
 Men are reluctant to be tested at the health units.Men are reluctant to be tested at the health units.

11. Lessons learnt cont’dLessons learnt cont’d
 It is possible to expand an integrated YMEP intoIt is possible to expand an integrated YMEP into
partners program.partners program.
 Partnering enhances service uptake.Partnering enhances service uptake.
 There is reduced stigma for VCT uptake.There is reduced stigma for VCT uptake.
 Demand for RH services is big and needsDemand for RH services is big and needs
integration.integration.
 Involving health service providers (government) inInvolving health service providers (government) in
outreaches increases VCT service uptake.outreaches increases VCT service uptake.
 Demand created in the neighbouring communitiesDemand created in the neighbouring communities
for the project.for the project.

12. Lessons learnt cont’dLessons learnt cont’d
 FHOK presence is more prominent.FHOK presence is more prominent.
 Full involvement of MOH is key toFull involvement of MOH is key to
sustainability and success.sustainability and success.
 Volunteers attrition is real.Volunteers attrition is real.
 Young men are ready to be tested by fellowYoung men are ready to be tested by fellow
young VCT counsellors.young VCT counsellors.
 Markets and daily routine of communityMarkets and daily routine of community
members dictate that you be at the site tillmembers dictate that you be at the site till
late in the evening-moonlight.late in the evening-moonlight.

13. Lessons learnt on Stigma
Stigma about HIV is caused at three levels
namely:
a) service providers: here involves
VCT counsellors, PSC, HBC
among other players.
b) community: here we get the
community members, relatives,
family, care takers among others.
c) PLWHAs: the people with HIV
themselves

14. Stigma at Service Providers’ level
Isolation of the PLWHAs at the health
facility – display.
Negative attitude.
Disclosure of client’s status – breach
of confidentiality.
Lack of user friendly services – YFS
No service.

15. Stigma at Community level
Lack of cure makes death a certainty.
Stigmatic statements e.g. sick.
The assumed causes of infection –
promiscuity e.g. church.
Conflicting preventive messages -
ABC.
Lack of collective responsibility for
care – carry your own cross.

16. Stigma at PLWHAs’ level
Lack of openness.

17. Field challengesField challenges
• Clients get disappointed when they don’t
get VCT services.
• No female condoms.
• Head teachers want to be actively
involved in the project.
• Difficulty in initiating condom discussions
in schools yet students are sexually active.
• Youths need a youth centre.

18. Field challenges cont’dField challenges cont’d
• Competing needs – Outreaches Vs
Exams in schools.
• Uncooperative law enforcers in cases of
young girls being impregnated.
• National general elections affecting
community project activities.
• Lack of adults involvement yet parents
need to support the project.

19. WAY FORWARDWAY FORWARD
• Train young people as VCT counsellors.Train young people as VCT counsellors.
• Partners to assist in scaling up the project to thePartners to assist in scaling up the project to the
neighbourhood.neighbourhood.
• Source for female condoms.Source for female condoms.
• Organize update meetings for head teachers.Organize update meetings for head teachers.
• Advocate for policies targeting boys/men to becomeAdvocate for policies targeting boys/men to become
responsible for pregnanciesresponsible for pregnancies
• Lobby and advocate for policy harmonization onLobby and advocate for policy harmonization on
condom promotion.condom promotion.

20. WAY FORWARD Cont’dWAY FORWARD Cont’d
• Sensitize community members on stigma.Sensitize community members on stigma.
• Encourage status disclosure.Encourage status disclosure.
• Lobby for law enforcers to take charge on thoseLobby for law enforcers to take charge on those
stigmatising PLWAsstigmatising PLWAs
• Address the issues of PLWAs collectively withAddress the issues of PLWAs collectively with
care.care.
• Initiate post test clubs.Initiate post test clubs.

21. CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION
 THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!
 ERO KAMANO!!!ERO KAMANO!!!
 ASANTE!!!ASANTE!!!