SIT Published the Research “Youth Access to Information, Education and Care for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in Kosovo during the Covid times”

In an event with representatives of public institutions, local and international organizations, civil society, media, and other stakeholders, and a panel discussion consisting of local institutions, civil society, and regional organizations, today, May 20, 2022, we launched the research for Kosovo.

This research aimed to identify the needs, challenges, and difficulties that young people face in Kosovo regarding sexual and reproductive health during the COVID-19 crisis, especially for young people from remote and disadvantaged areas.

Based on stigma and discrimination, socio-economic factors, and geographical distances, which are barriers that make it difficult for vulnerable groups in society to access health services and seek help, research has further highlighted the pandemic as a determinant of lack of information on a wide range of topics related to SRH as well as the provision of SHR services.

In this context, we conducted this research as an initial phase of a two-year project (2021–2023) funded by the Merck for Mothers program, which aims to contribute to increasing young people’s access to services and information for SHR.

This research will play a critical role in better understanding the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the access of young people to SHR services, education, and information, as well as in identifying patterns in how to address the needs of young people aged 14-30 inside and outside emergencies.

Research link: https://sit-ks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IPPF_REPORT_Kosovo_OK-4-109.05.2022.pdf 

This publication is part of SIT’s “Youth Voices, Youth Choices” project. The project is managed by the IPPF European Network, implemented by regional partners, and supported by the Merck for Mothers Global Giving Program.