Youth as Change Catalysts: The Journey in Redefining Reproductive Health in Egypt
On a sunny afternoon at an outdoor community center in Egypt’s southern governorate Aswan, a youth group puts on a play about family planning and reproductive health — topics that are rarely discussed. Gaps in information on and access to family planning services have likely increased population growth, contributed to climate change, and strained health resources.
At the heart of these challenges, JSI’s Strengthening Egypt’s Family Planning Program (SEFPP) emerged as a beacon of change. The project partners with the Egyptian government through the Ministry of Health and Population/Family Planning Sector and National Population Council to decelerate the country’s rapid population growth by reducing the unmet need for family planning counseling services and methods through evidence-based planning, decision making, and policy formulation. SEFPP prioritizes its support in the nine governorates of Upper Egypt and 21 informal housing settlements in Cairo and Alexandria, where the need for increased access to family planning is greatest. According to Egypt’s Family Health Survey (2021), in rural Upper Egypt, only 56 percent of women are using any modern method and 43 percent are not using any method at all (compared with 34 percent nationally. While similar data for Cairo and Alexandria are limited, access to family planning counseling and methods are known to be inadequate.
Mostofa Mamdouh, director of social and behavior change communication, explained how JSI, through SEFPP, is focusing on youth as family planning change agents in their communities.
Why focus on youth with family planning and reproductive health?
The importance of engaging youth in family planning conversations is clear. With approximately 28 million people ages 15 to 29 (27 percent of the total population), youth decisions resonate beyond individual choices. They have a major role in shaping the country’s demographic trajectory, resource allocation, and economic development. Involving them in family planning discussions not only protects their health and well-being, it also upholds their autonomy and rights.
Tell us about the evolution of youth inclusion in family planning and reproductive health discussions in Egypt.
The evolution of youth inclusion in family planning discussions is a testament to changing demographics, advocacy efforts, and government initiatives. As Egypt’s youth demand attention, initiatives to involve them have become more prominent in recent years. Thanks to changing attitudes, global commitments to reproductive health, and the role of civil society and advocacy groups, the narrative is shifting for the better. Collaborative government initiatives such as Ma’ana Fe Al-Dawar, coupled with increased research and data collection, aim to ensure meaningful engagement of and meet the unique needs of youth.
What are JSI’s approaches to working with youth in Egypt?
JSI’s approaches are as diverse as the challenges. Through initiatives like the Youth University Competition, we’re creating a cadre of young leaders as champions for population and family planning. Peer education, community-based initiatives, and media campaigns ensure that accurate information reaches youth where they live, work, and socialize. Our gender-sensitive approach recognizes the distinct needs of young women and men, fostering an environment where equitable choices are celebrated.
SEFPP ensures the transmission of crucial health messages through the Unified Health Education Reference manual. From emphasizing the importance of education and birth spacing to promoting women’s empowerment and open discussions between young couples, the messages resonate with young people’s multifaceted needs. Recognizing the relationship between family planning and family budgets, SEFPP’s comprehensive approach goes beyond mere information dissemination.
How do we contribute to increasing awareness at community and individual levels?
Beyond skills training, SEFPP initiatives champion ownership, empowering individuals and communities to lead, adapt, and sustain solutions. By nurturing communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, these initiatives equip individuals to challenge stigma, advocate for their reproductive health rights, and navigate health care systems. This collective initiative leads to lasting solutions rooted in cultural understanding, reflecting the transformative effect of SEFPP at both community and individual levels.
How have the approaches facilitated success and behavioral changes?
Since October 2022, we have strengthening the capacity of 90,000 university youth leaders and trained 8,000 peer educators in factories and colleges. Mass media campaigns, with over 66 million views, highlight the success of our multifaceted approach to changing behaviors. Using television, billboards, and social media influencers, and strengthening the influence of youth and religious leaders, we adapt messaging to resonate in the cultural and societal context. This approach has strengthened individuals’ and couples’ knowledge to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
The initiatives are more than just activities; they represent a shift in attitudes and behaviors that will contribute to a healthier and more informed society. In alignment with the National Population Strategy’s objectives, we aim to curtail population growth rates by increasing access to family planning and improve the overall quality of life in Egypt.
By Mostafa Mamdouh, Aliza Hasham, Syrga Kanatbek kyzy, and Marie Maroun
