The Essential Packages Manual was produced as part of the “Access, Services and Knowledge” (ASK) programme of the Youth Empowerment Alliance, which seeks to improve the sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) of young people (15-24 years) by increasing their uptake of SRH services in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
The manual is designed to help partners understand the main concepts, principles, and values of the ASK programme, and provides information and practical tools designed to assist partners to reach programme objectives. This includes information about SRHR and related services for young people, as well as guidance in creating an enabling environment and integrating SRHR, HIV/AIDS, and meaningful youth participation into programming.
The publication includes tools for self-assessment to help identify partners’ own progress and areas requiring support. It also includes roadmaps with practical steps to move towards desired project results, and outlines available tools, guidelines, protocols, and standards.
The manual includes the following contents, organised around key result areas:
- Values and Principles
- Result area 1: Direct SRHR information for young people
- Result area 2 & 3: SRH services for young people
- Result area 4: Creating an enabling environment
- Cross-Cutting Strategies: Integrating SRHR and HIV, meaningful youth participation