Terms Of Reference for Review of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Information, Services and Activities in Youth Centers and Other Facilities – Somalia

Ref: ANP03/443/2022

TERMS OF REFERENCE

REVIEW OF SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (SRH) INFORMATION, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES IN YOUTH CENTERS AND OTHER FACILITIES

POST TITLE: SRH Research Consultant

PROJECT LOCATION: Somalia

PROJECT DURATION: 30 working days

START DATE: 3rd November 2022

CLOSING DATE: 2nd December 2022

1.0 BACKGROUND

Somalia continues in a trajectory characterized by complex and protracted humanitarian crisis as a result of ongoing conflict worsened by climatic shocks (floods, tropical cyclones, locust, droughts) and the Covid 19 pandemic. The situation has resulted in to 2.6 million people across the country living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the country. Women, adolescent, girls and children represent 95 percent of the survivors that reported incidents of GBV in 20201. Most 75 percent were from displaced communities. 45 percent of reported incidents occur at the survivors’ residence while others are on the streets, at markets/shopping, at perpetrators’ residence or in camp settings.

Embedded in gender inequities and multidimensional poverty remains a major concern for adolescent girls in Somalia, particularly in Lower Juba and Banadir regions. There has seen an increase in reported rape cases of adolescent, girl child and SGBV violations against women in several areas of the country. Girls are most affected and disadvantaged in the society due to poverty and dropping out of school.

Increase in STIs amongst young people is another issue as many adolescents are reluctant to seek treatment due to lack of privacy and concerns over confidentiality. Large portion of the societies including young people lack sufficient knowledge about Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRH&R) and have difficulty in accessing services, especially to allow for young girls to practice safer sexual behaviors.

The predisposing factors to VAWG in the informal and IDP camps in Somalia include: inadequate physical infrastructure, distance to water points, markets, health facilities and schools and lack of disaggregation of sanitary facilities. Impunity among perpetrators of VAWG is promoted by lack of progress at the governance systems at both national and regional level in passing the sexual offence legislation that could provide some level of protection for vulnerable women and girls and detract perpetrators from committing GBV with impunity. Other challenges include: low and poor access to sexual and gender-based violence services; limited availability of specialized service providers and psychosocial support services. Lack of mental health care services for traumatized women and girls are major gaps in GBV service provision in Somalia.

In addition, discussion about sexuality is, culturally, a taboo topic. Traditional culture limits contraceptive and protective services and there is stigma around ASRH&R. Youth-friendly services are still limited in scope and coverage, where primary healthcare (PHC) centers lack appropriate services or sufficient providers with knowledge of ASRH&R as well as an environment that is youth-friendly. In view of this, there has been growing concerns on the need to prioritize adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR) in order to improve girls’ capability outcomes.

Hence, ANPPCAN-SOM, therefore, with help of UNFPA Health Builders is addressing the dire need for systems change to ensure current and future generations of female adolescents are educated, employable, and living a positive life.  It is in this respect of promoting and protection of Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRH) in Somalia that ANPPCAN’s Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights Program seeks to implement their program to strengthen SRH skills and knowledge among the adolescents and youth in Banadir and Jubaland regions to respond to the reproductive health challenges among the adolescents and youth.

2.0 Objectives of the review

The Sexual and Reproductive Health expert hired on a short-term consultancy basis will:

Objective 1: Reviewing existing referral system on GBV and FGM in Banadir, Southwest and Jubaland states;

Objective 2: Review SRH information and services activities that exist at the youth centers and other facilities with a view to integrating them.

Objective 3: Undertake a mapping/review of laws, policies and programs that promote adolescents and youth SRHR in Banadir, Southwest and Jubaland states;

3.0 Scope of the Review

The Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights review will assess the existing referral system on GBV and FGM in Banadir, Southwest State and Jubaland regions and develop a context analysis from different perspectives. These include but are not limited to:

1. Assessing the overall status of referral systems on GBV and FGM in Banadir, Southwest and Jubaland in terms of:

• Numbers
• Adequacy
• Level of integration
• Gaps therein

1. Assess the information and services available to the adolescents and youth in both state and non-state actor run facilities and within the community in terms of:

• Volume/numbers
• Accessibility
• Currency
• Suitability
• Affordability

1. Assess the existing laws, policies and programs that promote adolescents and youth SRHR in terms of:

• Adequacy for the needs of adolescents and youth
• Knowledge, awareness and practice (KAP)
• Gaps therein

1. Key recommendations to ANPPCAN and UNFPA on:

• improvement of GBV/FGM referral systems in the three states.
• Improvement on access to SRH information and services to adolescents and youth in the three states
• Improvement/change on laws, policies and programs promoting adolescent and youth SRHR

3.0 Primary responsibilities of the consultant

The Consultant will lead the overall assessment. She/he will undertake the following responsibilities towards the successful execution of this task:

• In line with the TORs produce an Inception Report one week after contract signature and;
• develop the methodology for the assessment considering COVID-19 restrictions;
• Draft Time Schedule of Work and
• Undertake interviews of the Assessment in the project locations.
• draft the assessment Main Report;
• Review and facilitate the workshops

4.0 Deliverables of the Consultancy

• Development of an inception report and assessment plan (containing interpretation of the Terms of Reference, final methodology, tools and study approaches).
• Design data collection and assessment methodology/tools
• Undertake desk review of relevant documents
• Review SRH literature, legal and other relevant strategic documents
• Conduct a comprehensive field-based assessment in Banadir, South West State and Jubaland.
• Write and present a draft report and debrief ANPPCAN project staff
• Present the Main Report to ANPPCAN at a Validation Meeting

The Final Assessment Report will be written in English and will be maximum 40 pages long (without the annexes). It must include the following sections:

• Executive summary (max. 5 pages)
• Introduction
• Background
• Objectives of the assessment.
• Methodology used
• Analysis and presentation of Key Findings
• Conclusions and recommendations