Health and Youth Friendly Services Training
Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
Health and Youth Friendly Services Training
A Health and Youth Friendly Services training was held in November 2021, aimed at enhancing knowledge and skills among officers in health, especially sexual reproductive health and rights, and provision of youth friendly services.
Although the training on health and youth friendly services was among those planned for under the Robert Carr Fund to improve the health, human rights and dignity of youth prison populations, the content for the training was derived from the newly drafted Zambia Correctional Services Peer Education Manual. The training provided an excellent time for SANOP and Zambia Correctional Services (ZCS) to pre-test the draft manual. The Manual is a standardised tool for anyone conducting per education in correctional facilities across the country. SANOP as well as other organisations working within the correctional services sector were part of the development of this Manual.
The training was facilitated by the Zambia Correctional Services Health Directorate Staff, Ministry of Health as well as SANOP Zambia team. The content for the training included; sexual reproductive health and rights, first aid, basic nutrition, common diseases in correctional facilities, HIV/AIDS, hygiene, mental health and standards for youth friendly services among others.
The 34 participants were trained in;
- Communication skills
- Juveniles’ health and development in Correctional facilities/reformatories/schools
- Common diseases in Correctional Facilities
- Mental health
- Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights
- Supporting juveniles living with HIV, TB and other conditions
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
- Basic nutrition
- First aid
- Infection Prevention Control
- Overview and Standards for Adolescents and Youth Friendly Services
Given the recognition of SANOP’s contribution in the production of the Correctional Services Peer Education Manual, SANOP was requested to support development of the mental health wellness policy for correctional facilities. This was considered because of the number of participants (officers) who confidentially approached the session presenter to seek mental health support and share mental health challenges they were having. Some of these officers had attempted suicide while others were on treatment for mental illness.
Southern Africa Network of Prisons
Contact Info
Phase 4, Gaborone West, Botswana