Adolescence (10-19 years old) is a unique period of physical, psychological, emotional, and social maturation from childhood to adulthood, with unique challenges and risks. These risks include early pregnancies, high maternal mortality rates, unsafe abortions, and high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.

The Solutions for Supporting Healthy Adolescents and Rights Protection (SHARP) programme, funded by the European Union, is dedicated to improving adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and address their high unmet need for family planning. SHARP does this by tackling the obstacles faced by young people in accessing essential SRH commodities and services, and increasing demand for these services through religious and socio-cultural interventions.

In Zambia, SHARP implementing partner Medicines Research and Access Platform (MedRAP) works closely with a range of Champions, including youth representatives, religious leaders and other pillars of the community. In a photo essay, we shine a spotlight on the tireless efforts of three of these Champions and their work to improve the health and lives of adolescents in Zambia’s Southern Province:

• Pastor Joyce Samba, a religious leader and single mother with 10 dependents ranging from primary school to university age.
• Funny Kayama, a youth champion from Livingstone, decided to not only take responsibility for his own SRH, but speak directly to his peers about what he has learned through SHARP training and workshops.
• Jaqueline Mbaulo, a teacher who has taken the approach of setting up a youth friendly space in her school,  and so directly reaches adolescents where they are.

Download the photo essay (PDF) or visit online.