Global Research and Advocacy Group (GRAG)

Youth/Adolescent Girls

Adolescence is a developmental period with many psychological, social, and physiological changes (Ayala, 2006).  Peer perceptions, self-identity, and autonomy become extremely important during this stage, and ensuring that adolescents understand their bodies, the reproductive health issues they face, and how to prevent or manage diseases can not be ignored.  Currently, over 50% of today’s populations are under 25 years of age.  Many of these youth are fast approaching adulthood, and therefore it is imperative to provide them, especially girls, with youth-friendly education and health services which make them more aware of the threats and possibilities for improving certain diseases outcomes.  As the youth today will be our future leaders and workforce, adequately nurturing their development is strategically essential to building social progress.

GRAG supports health initiatives which promote the rights of adolescents to have access to reproductive and sexual health information, and related services.  Working with community leaders, NGOs, and governments, young men and women are empowered to actively participate in community activities and advocate for issues that affect adolescents, particularly girls, to be pushed to the forefront of the development agenda.  Additionally, GRAG carries out research studies to identify/document the positive changes and challenges that result for the various reproductive health initiatives implemented in our target countries, as well as understand the critical elements for successful transition to adulthood in out target countries.

Our priorities include:

• STIs (i.e. HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, HPV)
• Female circumcision
• Family planning
• School health