The National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Framework Strategy (ASRH&R) was approved by Cabinet in 2015, to specifically address the needs of the adolescent population in terms of SRHR issues. The framework strategy was aimed at addressing the concerns of the South African Population Policy on “the high incidence of unplanned and unwanted teenage pregnancies, and the increased risk of early child bearing and maternal mortality. The intention of the Framework Strategy was to guide stakeholders to address gaps that exist in the promotion of young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The responsibility of leading the implementation of the Framework Strategy was assigned to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) as it is responsible for youth development in the country. The Department of Social Development was tasked with the responsibility of providing technical secretariat expertise for the Framework Strategy. The ASRH &R Framework has priority areas each with objectives to guide its implementation.
These are:
Priority 1: Increased coordination, collaboration, information and knowledge sharing on ASRH&R activities amongst stakeholders
Priority 2: Developing innovative approaches to comprehensive SRHR, information, education and counselling to adolescents
Priority 3: Creating effective community supportive networks for adolescents
Priority 5: Formulating evidence-based revisions of legislation, policies, strategies and guidelines on ASRH&R. UNFPA is supporting the Department of Social Development Population Unit in the evaluation of the implementation of the ASRHR framework.
The purpose of the evaluation is to:
1. Assess whether the implementation model of the framework strategy was effective to deliver its objectives;
2. Assess the overall performance of the implementation of the ASRH&R framework strategy;
3 Identify lessons learned & good practices from the implementation of the strategy; and
4. Propose concrete actions and recommendations that can feed to strengthening ASRHR in the country.