Project profile — Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy: Sexual and Reproductive Health for Adolescent Development

• Nicaragua (100.00%)

• Population policy and administrative management:
Population policy and administrative management (13010) (25.00%)
Reproductive health care (13020) (25.00%)
Family planning (13030) (25.00%)
STD control including HIV/AIDS (13040) (5.00%)
• Government And Civil Society, General: Ending violence against women and girls (15180) (20.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Children's issues (significant objective)
• Youth Issues (principal objective)

The project aims to reduce the incidence of early pregnancy in Nicaragua, by promoting and strengthening an integrated approach to adolescent development, respecting adolescents’ decisions and freedoms, expanding their capacities and opportunities, and improving their access to sexual and reproductive health. Nicaragua has one of the highest adolescent pregnancy rates in Latin America, with approximately 24% of girls between the ages of 15 and 19 having been pregnant at least once. Gender-based violence, deeply rooted traditional practices, the lack of comprehensive education on sexual and reproductive health, adolescent-friendly health services, and economic opportunities, all contribute to high early pregnancy rates. Project activities include: (1) facilitating access to comprehensive sexuality education, and quality sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents; (2) implementing a communication for development strategy on the promotion of values and prevention of gender-based violence; (3) promoting curricular adjustments that allow pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers to continue their studies in an inclusive and respectful environment; (4) strengthening care and protection services to adolescent girl survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, with a rights approach; (5) designing a strategy of empowerment and life skills for vulnerable adolescents, including the entrepreneurial capacities of adolescent girl survivors of sexual violence; and (6) strengthening inter-agency coordination for comprehensive attention to adolescent girls and boys. The project is implemented by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Nicaragua, in collaboration with local stakeholders public and private, including state institutions, community leaders, school-parents associations, civil society organizations, etc.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved decision-making of adolescents on their sexual and reproductive health and comprehensive development, using a gender equality approach, with an emphasis on adolescent girls; (2) strengthened participation of adolescents in social and economic opportunities, with a focus on vulnerable adolescent girls; and (3) improved effectiveness of the comprehensive approach, and sexual and reproductive health services to adolescent boys and girls.

Results achieved at the end of the project (June 2024) include: (1) increased by by 54% the number of adolescent girls in the 20 prioritized municipalities accessing adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services since the beginning of the project, reaching 68,541 adolescents; (2) increased to 36,214 the number of girls aged 15 to 19 years who are new users of modern contraceptive methods (MCM). This result is aided by a steady supply of such methods in 95% of health units in targeted municipalities and the peer-to-peer counselling provided by adolescent leaders trained on the MCM community strategy; (3) supported over 44,000 adolescents to gain access to comprehensive sexuality education, including 13,500 reached through creative activities like sports, dance, muralism, and theater, empowering them to make informed choices and challenge gender stereotypes; (4) developed municipal plans and effectively implemented in targeted municipalities to promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, and informed decision-making through collaboration among local stakeholders and combined policy and community efforts; and (5) communication campaigns reached over a million people through digital platforms and local radio channels. This is done by tailoring content to help adults recognize adolescent sexual and reproductive rights and facilitate their access to information and services related to sexual and reproductive health and violence prevention.

• Proactive disclosure