FOUR GOALS – ONE GLOBAL PROMISE!

We focus on the needs and potential of the largest youth generation in history.

We are committed to creating demand for and access to health information, services, supplies, and economic empowerment for youth.

DID YOU KNOW…

Nine out of ten of the world’s 1.8 billion young people live in countries of poverty.

Developing regions are seeing a massive surge in youth populations. Although this has the potential to shape the destiny of these countries for the better, this will not happen if young people continue to be denied their right to a better and healthier life. This includes the chance of a full education, access to proper healthcare, the choice of when (and if) to get married, of what type of career to choose, and the option of planning a family when ready. This also includes the right to a healthy childhood and youth, which are often obstructed by poverty-related and neglected diseases – against many of which the right health tools (diagnostics, vaccines, treatments) do not exist.

How Are Young Women and Girls Affected?

Half of all pregnancies among women aged 15–19 in developing countries are unintended.

Enabling access to modern contraceptives and family planning methods, would prevent an estimated 307 million unintended pregnancies annually.

Over 800 young women die daily from complications during childbirth - 99% in developing regions.

Most of these deaths could be prevented with full access to contraceptive care, and maternal and newborn healthcare – which are severely lacking in the world’s poorest regions.

Every 23 minutes a young girl under the age of 18 is forced to marry.

That translates to over 32,000 girls a day; 12 million a year. Ending this practice will lead to better health, education and career prospects – giving young girls a better chance in life.

Gender sensitive R&D to fight diseases of poverty

Poverty-related and neglected diseases (PRNDs) affect around 2.8 billion people worldwide, some more prevalent in women or young people, some disproportionately impacting women and girls due to their different social, cultural, and economic realities. New health innovations need to address women and young people’s health needs.

AIDS remains a leading cause of death among adolescents in Africa.

In sub-Saharan Africa, six in seven new HIV infections among adolescents aged 15-19 years are among girls. Young women aged 15-24 years are twice as likely to be living with HIV than men. An increase in R&D funding, for new vaccines, diagnostics, and treatment options is essential, as is education and training to equip young people to protect themselves.

Here’s How We’re Working to Fix It

Imagine a world where the above problems no longer apply. Where all youth could choose their own path. Where young women had access to modern contraception and could plan the timing & spacing of their pregnancies. Where diseases of poverty were extinct…

In Germany, the EU, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, we are working hard to realise this vision of a healthy and sustainable world where all young people can achieve their full potential – and where every pregnancy is wanted. By championing young people’s access to youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health and rights, we are ensuring a brighter future for the generation of today – and tomorrow!

GOAL 1

Foster demand for and access to health information, health supplies and youth-friendly services, particularly for sexual and reproductive health.

GOAL 2

Advance the respect and protection of SRHR, with a focus on eliminating gender-related discrimination and inequality.

To ensure GOAL 1 is accomplished, DSW will:

Improve young people’s access to affordable, quality health supplies, comprehensive sexuality education, and to youth friendly services.
Increase demand for gender-sensitive health information, youth-friendly services, and SRH supplies.

To ensure GOAL 2 is accomplished, DSW will:

Promote the inclusion of and investment for sexual and reproductive health and rights in international and national policy and legal frameworks.
Increase stakeholders’ awareness and knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and rights as well as its application.

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GOAL 3

Empower young people to make their voices heard in decision-making processes at local, national, and global levels.

GOAL 4

Enhance access to socio-economic opportunities for vulnerable young people.

To ensure GOAL 3 is accomplished, DSW will:

Improve young people’s gender awareness, as well as their leadership, advocacy, and life skills.
Increase decision-makers’ awareness of and commitment to meaningful and inclusive youth participation.

To ensure GOAL 4 is accomplished, DSW will:

Develop partnerships and networks to enhance young people’s socio-economic opportunities.
Provide young people with training and capacity development to foster their economic and social resilience.

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Here’s How We’re Working to Fix It

Our VISION is of a healthy and sustainable world in which all young people can realise their full potential. To unleash this potential, DSW empowers young people, promotes an enabling environment, and fosters meaningful and inclusive participation.