Strengthening reproductive health and empowerment of young women

The project Strengthening Reproductive Health and Empowerment of Young Women (SRHEYW) is a module of German Development Cooperation in the health sector in Tanzania. It is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in cooperation with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Prime Minister"s Office - Regional Administration and Local Government (PMORALG). The project is implemented from July 2026 to June 2029 and focuses on Tanga Region. Despite progress in women"s rights and access to health services, many young people in Tanzania, particularly adolescent girls and young women, continue to face significant barriers to exercising their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Persistent gender norms, unequal power relations, limited access to reliable information, high rates of adolescent pregnancy, unmet need for family planning, gender-based violence, and unequal access to services for young people with disabilities continue to undermine reproductive autonomy and health outcomes. The project aims to improve the reproductive autonomy and health of young women and newborns in selected areas of Tanzania. It focuses on strengthening maternal, neonatal, and reproductive health services; empowering young people with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health; improving the social and institutional environment that influences these decisions; and increasing access to SRHR services for people with disabilities. The intervention targets adolescent girls and young women while also engaging boys and young men, parents, teachers, religious and community leaders, health workers, civil society organisations, and government institutions. Particular attention is given to vulnerable groups, including young people living with disabilities and out-of-school youth. The project combines interventions at individual, community, institutional, and societal levels. Through youth clubs, community dialogue processes, social and behaviour change communication campaigns, and support to local civil society organisations, the project seeks to create an enabling environment in which young people can access information, utilise services, exercise their rights, and make informed choices about their future.