Lessons learned from nimble adaptations to organisations’ responses to the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.

For further details: Please contact Ahmed K. Ali aliahme@who.int and Venkatraman Chandra Mouli chandramouliv@who.int

Acknowledgments

Symplice Mbola, Rajesh Mehta and Sonja Caffe (WHO regional office staff)
Renata Tallarico (UNFPA regional office staff), Artwork/Cartoons: Graham Ogilvie

The indirect effects of COVID-19 on adolescents have been considerable as restrictions caused by COVID-19 related lockdown measures disrupted the availability and access to health, education and social services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and services directed at adolescents. The effects were especially marked in contexts where existing programmes were already weak, and among marginalized adolescents.

Early in the pandemic, UNFPA – in conjunction with WHO – published a technical brief titled ‘Not on Pause: Responding to the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents in the context of the COVID-19 crisis’. The technical brief provided recommendations for programme managers and service providers on the delivery of SRH information, education, health services and commodities to adolescents in the context of COVID-19. After the technical brief was published, WHO and UNFPA gathered case studies to learn from the field about adaptations to organisations' responses in providing SRH services to adolescents.

This Bulletin contains a collection of these case studies from 16 countries. The case studies demonstrate how organisations adapted their efforts nimbly to provide adolescents with SRH information and education, health services, and commodities in the context of the restrictions in place. Each case study describes how were these adaptations developed, how were they put in place, and how organizations assessed whether they were in fact responding to adolescents' needs.