#BecauseWeCan

The Siyakwazi Youth Network is an initiative of Partners in Sexual Health in partnership with the National & Provincial Population Units (N/PPUs), located in the national and provincial Departments of Social Develop-ment (DSD), and National Youth Develop-ment Agency (NYDA).

The Siyakwazi Youth Network was success-fully launched in Port Elizabeth on Friday, 22 July 2016 during the Department of Social

Word from the EditorWe are very excited to release the first edi-tion of our combined quarterly newsletter!

To most of you, the community activities and achievements of Partners in Sexual Health (PSH) is well-known therefore in this first issue we report a little bit more on the Siyakwazi Youth Network (SYN) and our reasons are evident.

The Siyakwazi Youth Network is the first ever SRHR Network in South Africa that brings the sexual and reproductive health and rights issues of our Youth to the fore with sustainable support and tangible in-terventions. For this reason the Network has been welcomed with open arms by our Youth who are passionate to be Agents of Change in their communities.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our partners for their unwavering support since the inception of the Network.

The hard work has already started and we look forward to share this exciting journey with our Youth and report on their Stories of Change in their own words in the next edition.

#BecauseWeCan

Patsy de Lora Editor

Development’s release of the World Popula-tion Report by Minister Bathabile Dlamini in partnership with The United Nations Popula-tion Fund (UNFPA).

During the launch the Network’s active members had their voices heard on a Na-tional Level by the Minister of Social Develop-ment. Through participation at youth camps, where members were trained on SRHR is-sues, they were able to identify key social is-

Featured Story: Siyakwazi Youth Network Launched Successfully

First Edition, August 2016

‘Nothing happens for us without us.

A Network for the Youth by the Youth’

sues they face in their daily lives. The two most prominent issues that were raised were Teenage Pregnancy and Substance Abuse. During the launch of the Network the Youth were able to voice these is-sues to Minister Dlamini who promised that she will address it with the appro-priate stakeholders. This promise was inscribed on a pledge banner and signed by all Youth members and the Honour-able Minister herself at the launch.

Minister Bathabile Dlamini (front right) with: Bibiane Mbaye of IPPFARO (back left corner); the CEO of PSH, Patsy de Lora (back 2nd from left); and Jacques van Zuydam, Chief Director of National Population and Development (back right corner).

2 557 members and growing weekly

Partners in Sexual Health (PSH) facili-tated five training sessions during June and July attended by approximately 500 participants. Young people who partici-pated at the Ezabasha Dialogues in the surrounding areas of Port Elizabeth and within the Nelson Mandela Metropole it-self, who displayed leadership potential, or those who were motivated to learn more and deepen their understanding of the issues, were specifically identified and targeted to participate in the four day training programme on sexual and repro-ductive health and rights.

Each of the training sessions were con-ducted over four days, and focused on intergenerational communication on ado-

PSH Facilitates Intergenerational Training on Adolescent Sexual And Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRH&R)

lescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. These training sessions took place in the following areas: one training session took place in Peddie; one in Alice; one in Stutterheim and two were conducted in Port Elizabeth.

The training aimed to enhance the capac-ity of civil society leaders to advocate and enhance community sensitisation, aware-ness and education on issues pertaining to adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. It is envisaged that leaders within civil society, including religious leaders would develop a common vision and approach in addressing ASRH&R, HIV & AIDS and Gen-der Mainstreaming issues from these train-ing sessions.

In a collaborative and integrated planning effort between the National and Provincial DSD (National & Eastern Cape Provincial Population Unit); the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and District; Partners in Sexual Health and the Youth who were capacitated on the issues of ASRH&R in the Intergen-erational Training on SRH&R came together on the weekend of the 8-11 July 2016 in Coega, Port Elizabeth for a programme that included presentations on:

• “Entrepreneurship and Creating Econom-ic Opportunity” by NYDA;

• “Siyakwazi Youth Network” by Partners in Sexual Health;

• “Findings on the Research Report into the Factors Associated with Teenage Preg-nancy in the Eastern Cape Province” by the EC Provincial Population Unit.

PSH & Siyakwazi co-host Youth Camp in Port ElizabethThese were followed up by robust dis-cussions on the presentations as well as further comprehensive group discus-sions on:

• Identifying Youth Issues by Ward;

• Drawing up Action Activities for Youth involvement.

These identified issues were presented to Minister Bathabile Dlamini in her en-gagement with the Youth on the 22 July 2016.

A delegation from Partners in Sexual Health and the Siyakwazi Youth Network attended and participated at the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) at the Durban Interna-tional Convention Centre (ICC) from 18 to 22 July 2016.

The International AIDS Conference is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. It was a chance to assess where we are, evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course forward.

The AIDS 2016 programme presented new scientific knowledge and offered many opportu-nities for structured dialogue on the major issues facing the global response to HIV. A variety of session types – from abstract-driven presentations to symposia, bridging and plenary sessions – met the needs of various participants. Other related activities, included the Global Village, satellite symposia, the Exhibition and affiliated independent events, contributed to exceptional opportunities for professional development and networking.

PSH & Siyakwazi participates at the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban Announcements

• The Siyakwazi Youth Network (SYN) Coordination Team is currently in the pro-cess of creating provincial WhatsApp groups for all registered members of SYN. Kindly remain a member of your specific WhatsApp group which will read something like “Siyakwazi Eastern Cape”, “Siyakwazi KwaZulu-Natal”, etc.

• The WhatsApp groups will be used to communicate with all SYN members in a fast and cost-effective way regarding SRHR issues and activities that is important to you.

• The SYN Coordination Team will be meeting with the identfied Youth Repre-sentatives from the Eastern Cape (Coega Camp) during September 2016 to discuss how we will assist you with links and resources to further the activi-ties in your communities. Dates will be communicated through the WhatsApp group.

• We are in the process of revamping and updating the Siyakwazi Youth Network website: www.siyakwaziyouth.net. We would really appreciate your input to help us make the website work better for you. How do you want the website to look (design) and what information do you want to see more of (content) on the website? Feel free to provide advice regarding anything else you feel is im-portant to make the website work better for you. Please email our webdesign team at: admin@siyakwaziyouth.net. REMEMBER: Nothing will happen for you without you.

www.siyakwaziyouth.net Siyakwazi Youth Network @siyakwaziyouth

www.psh.org.za Partners in Sexual Health