PITCH INITIATIVE

PITCH Initiative trains on sexual reproductive health and rights advocacy

Family AIDS Caring Trust (FACT) through the Frontline AIDS supported PITCH Initiative, recently conducted a training workshop on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocacy.

The advocacy workshop which was held from 21 – 22 October 2019 in Mutare, aimed at providing participants with knowledge and skills to advocate for universal access to SRHR related services. 20 participants were drawn from Mutare and Rusape who included religious leaders, peer educators and representatives from key population groups.

The two day workshop equipped participants with knowledge on general principles of advocacy, understanding oneself, available sexual reproductive health and rights services, existing accountability spaces for advocacy and skills in overcoming advocacy related barriers.

“The workshop provided a platform to learn and share experiences on advocacy, enriching our capacity to demand for SRHR services. I am going to stand my ground for my community and I have learnt to be tolerant of others” – Petie Vee (Not real name).

 

“As women who sell sex we face a number of challenges. The workshop taught us to be self-advocates demanding for equal treatment” – Falie (Not real name).

Access to sexual reproductive health and rights services is essential for one to realise full wellbeing and enjoy positive health outcomes. With the absence of barriers to accessing and guaranteed provision of SRHR services, individuals will actively contribute to the development of the country.

Since 2013, Family AIDS Caring Trust with support from Frontline AIDS has been implementing the PITCH project targeting religious leaders, policy makers, service providers and key populations (sex workers, MSM, LGBTIQ, adolescent girls and young women) with SRHR related programming.