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RHIYA in Cambodia consolidated the achievements of the RHI that focused solely on ASRH and incorporated lessons learned from the findings of the previous programme. In particular, it included a strong focus on vulnerable young people on improving youth friendly service provision, and on involving the young men in the project unit. RHIYA worked with parents and other gatekeepers to improve the understanding of ASRH and helped to create an enabling environment for ASRH interventions. Building on experience gained during the RHI, RHIYA took a more coordinated approach to IEC development and consolidated successful approaches including more active youth involvement in project activities at all stages and advocacy with key gatekeepers such as monks and community leaders.
The RHIYA programme in Cambodia targeted those groups of young people who are especially vulnerable to ASRH risks. These have included street children, poor youth, out-of-school youth, young people affected by HIV/AIDS, young sex workers and young migrant workers (e.g. garment factory workers). Particular attention was paid to the risks facing young women. A pilot project also targeted young men since they are often the main decision-makers in sexual behaviour.
The major problem areas addressed by the RHIYA in Cambodia were:
- A. Lack of coherent advocacy to support youth oriented sexual and reproductive health
- B. Insufficient knowledge and awareness of sexual and reproductive health issues (especially in view of the threat posed by HIV/AIDS)
- C. Insufficient quality and accessibility of services for young people
- D. Weak local technical and managerial capacity to address ASRH needs
- E. Insufficient knowledge and understanding of adolescence and youth culture in the Cambodia context
In Cambodia, civil conflict in the recent past has resulted in a fragile social fabric among young people; this situation is aggravated by the effect of HIV/AIDS and further complicated by high level of drug-abuses.
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