In October 1999, the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) lent its support to a pilot project formulated by Swedish Association for Sexuality Education, (RFSU), with over 70 years of experience in sexuality education in Sweden. MAMTA and RFSU met in October 1999 to look into areas of collaboration and twinning. A joint proposal ‘Evolving strategies for Optimum Health and Development of Young People’ was submitted to SIDA by the two partners and got approval to work for 3 years (Phase 1). The proposal looked at developing and testing strategies to work on the sensitive issue of Young People’s Reproductive and Sexual Health (YRSH) with a gender and rights perspective.  more>>

As a part of this agreement various other NGOs working on similar issues throughout the nation were identified. Thus an attempt was made to harness the isolated efforts being made by these NGOs by initiating a network across the geographical expanse of the country. SRIJAN (Sexual and Reproductive Health Initiative for Joint Action Network)   is now spread over 7 states of India and having about 126 members is spearheading the efforts to mainstream the issues of young people and provide them visibility in the current socio-cultural settings and political scenario. This network is currently covering about 100 districts (total 240 districts) in these states. Besides this, MAMTA is directly implementing projects in many other districts of the country.

The current phase aims to consolidate and strengthen the SRIJAN network through all possible means. In order to improve the functioning of the network and distribute responsibility within all partners; forming a Charter of the SRIJAN network, which will further strengthen communication links and common understanding about YRSHR issues between the State Facilitating Agencies (SFAs) and the Central agency (MAMTA), is a key objective. Discussion to share functional responsibilities with the network partners have been initiated, although at this time the SFAs feel that the network needs to be further strengthened before delegation of responsibilities is done. The ultimate aim is to increase the sense of belonging and ownership in the SRIJAN network and have sharing of responsibilities. 

The emphasis on capacity building of all partner agencies in a structured manner will continue in the second phase, with the aim that the partner agencies in turn, will capacitate other organizations in the state to work on YRSHR issues.

South East Asia Regional (SEAR) Network on YRSHR:

MAMTA with its understanding on the issues of young people in the region and RFSU with a long experience of working on sexuality issues in different parts of the world felt that the twinning effort had matured to an extent that they could undertake a training programme of this nature in the regional context.

MAMTA and RFSU jointly conducted the first Advanced International Training programme on YSRHR for 10 South Asian countries in September 2003 at New Delhi. Both the organisations have gained immensely from the experiences and the learning will help in strengthening the next course. MAMTA got an insight into the needs and concerns of young people in the SEAR and also the diverse training needs of the individuals /institutions working with young people.

This has also helped us to initiate the YSRHR network of committed professionals and organizations across South East Asia. MAMTA hopes to expand this network with the addition of new members (organizations and individuals) with subsequent training programs. This network aims to encourage resource sharing between the network partners, developing mutual partnership and collaborations between network organizations /individuals whenever feasible and to jointly advocate for YSRHR issues.