Youth Voices Improve Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Eswatini
Youth Voices Improve Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Eswatini
The high incidence of HIV among adolescents and youth—particularly girls—in Eswatini highlights the urgent need for continuous monitoring and improvement of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. These services must be accessible, stigma-free, and of high quality. However, only 48% of health facilities in Eswatini offer youth-friendly SRH services, restricting young people’s access to critical information and care.
In response, UNICEF Eswatini is supporting the implementation of a social accountability feedback platform that empowers young people to directly influence the enhancement of youth-friendly health services, particularly regarding their sexual and reproductive health rights.
The platform provides real-time reporting via a mobile application, enabling clients to share their experiences and suggest improvements. The system analyzes feedback data and channels recommendations to service providers for quality assurance and service improvement. When young people visit health facilities, they are guided to youth-friendly corners where they are introduced to the app and encouraged to provide feedback on their care experience.
“The platform has the potential to be scaled up to all health facilities in Eswatini. It’s already showing positive results in improving the quality of healthcare services and ensuring equitable access for young people. Most importantly, youth are leading the process—telling us what needs to change for them to feel comfortable using these services,” said Dr. Thuli Mdluli, UNICEF HIV Specialist.
The feedback collected has provided the Ministry of Health and its partners with credible, youth-driven insights for strengthening health systems and empowering youth-led initiatives. One example includes young people's concerns about the discreet provision of condoms. In response, the Ministry of Health began packaging condoms in medication bags, enhancing privacy and making it easier for youth to carry them confidently.
I saw how powerful the platform was and knew I had to help others use it too.
Celucolo first encountered the social accountability platform in 2022 when he was just 19. Impressed by its impact, he became a dedicated youth champion. Today, he along with 49 volunteers, support the initiative by guiding young people at health facilities on how to use the platform and encouraging them to speak up about their experiences.
In addition to addressing issues such as medication stockouts, the feedback platform has contributed to:
- Improved quality of youth-friendly health services
- Enhanced privacy and confidentiality
- Better clinic flow and service delivery
- Positive shifts in health worker attitudes toward young clients
In 2024 alone, 1,744 young clients submitted 2,875 recommendations through the platform. With a resolution rate of 55% of recommendations acted upon by the Ministry of Health to improve the quality of services, the initiative demonstrates significant progress in promoting evidence-based decision-making at the local level and strengthening accountability to affected populations under UNICEF-supported programmes.
