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Albania

Articles by Albania

Youth Voices, Youth Choices youth group
01 June 2023

Youth Voices, Youth Choices

Young people and groups with vulnerabilities in the Western Balkans face a great many barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they bore the brunt of additional obstacles to accessing information, support and care. COVID-19 demonstrated how fragile national health systems are and highlighted countries’ unpreparedness to deal with health emergencies. But it also stimulated creativity by civil society and other actors to counter these barriers, with digital outreach and support playing an expanding, crucial role. Youth Voices, Youth Choices is a project dedicated to learning from the COVID-19 experience in the Western Balkans to ensure sexual and reproductive health services, information and education become more accessible and youth-friendly in the long term, especially for marginalised groups. Running from 2020 until 2023, it brings together IPPF members and partners in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Kosovo, supported by IPPF EN’s Regional Office. Project partners have conducted research into the impact of the pandemic on young people’s SRH needs and access to services and information, and the role of integrated digital services, with a focus on communities living in remote areas and unfavourable social conditions. They are sharing good practices and empowering young people as campaigners and advocates using digital and offline education tools. And working in multi-stakeholder partnerships, they are developing policy recommendations to support advocacy and youth-led campaigns for stronger health systems and increased access to care, in and beyond emergency situations. In October 2022, IPPF EN launched a set of regional policy recommendations based on our research into how the pandemic affected young people. All partners also created national recommendations. Collectively, we built upon these through regional and national advocacy campaigns and actions. Check out our YVYC resources page! Take a look at our series of interviews carried out by young people with their peers on how COVID affected their access to SRHR information, education and care, and their vision for the future. RESEARCH REPORT  As a basis for this work, in 2021 and early 2022, we conducted a study to provide us with a clearer picture of the impact of the pandemic on young people’s SRHR. The data was published in a series of reports presenting the findings of the study, carried out by and among youth in five Balkan countries. The reports, available for download below, document young people’s SRH needs and experiences and the perspectives of healthcare providers and other relevant stakeholders on these needs. They also capture the latter’s needs as they deliver services, information and education to young people, building on their experience of COVID-19. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS In October 2022, IPPF EN launched a set of regional policy recommendations that call on decision-makers to listen to young people and uphold their SRHR as they build back health and social systems in the wake of the pandemic. Presented at the European Parliament on 26 October by youth advocates and experts, with the support of MEP Fred Matić, the recommendations were developed by a group of specialists who came together to develop a blueprint for designing systems that prioritise access to youth-friendly SRH care, and better support of young people’s health and well-being. The policy recommendations are available for download below. The policy recommendations were used to set advocacy priorities for further actions and campaigning. YOUTH VOICES Young people are at the heart of this work: as researchers, as members of the expert groups that developed policy recommendations, and as advocates and campaigners for change. They were also in the lead at the 'Healthy Youth – Healthy Future' multi-stakeholder meeting in Tirana in spring 2023, where youth representatives and staff from our partner organisations came together with decision-makers and experts from the field - see Tirana joint declaration on protecting the health and social wellbeing of young people. The young participants presented advocacy campaigns carried out at regional and national levels, and shared their needs and experiences at an event held in the Albanian parliament. For more information about this work, please contact us at: [email protected]           This work is funded by MSD for Mothers.

YVYC illustration of young people
25 October 2022

"Governments & health professionals need to give young people more opportunities."

We spoke to young people from the Western Balkans about how their access to sexual and reproductive health and rights was affected by the COVID pandemic, and asked them about their vision for re-designing a more youth-friendly future in which young people can flourish.  Greis Osmani is a 23-year-old from Tirana, Albania. She is a medical student, peer educator and activist for young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.   Greis, describe your experience of access to SRHR* education, information and care before and during COVID.  Before the pandemic, I used to take part in a lot of workshops, projects and volunteer work in national NGOs. As a volunteer, especially with the Albanian Center for Population and Development (ACPD), I was trained in subjects like abortion stigma, gender equality and rights, contraceptive methods and sexuality education. I was well informed about other topics such as HIV/AIDS. The first year of the pandemic, the focus of the government and NGOs etc shifted more towards COVID and general health issues, not related to SRHR. Step by step, young people and the general public started getting used to online platforms, which gave us other opportunities to hold trainings online and carry on sharing safe information with other youth.   Did anything change for the better during the pandemic in terms of access to SRHR? I believe it had pros and cons. First, we had to learn how to properly use new digital platforms and tools such as Zoom, Google Classroom and Meet, and add more interesting activities such as Murals and Quizzes. This made our online experience much more fun, aside from basic informative meetings, and we continue to use these platforms. Online platforms enable us to create a broader network of young people from different countries who connect more quickly, and for free, to share personal experiences as SRHR activists and empower one another. We are still learning and developing digital communication skills. We hope the moment will come when all young people feel comfortable using online tools, without facing a single barrier.   What was the biggest challenge for SRHR during the pandemic? One of the biggest challenges I personally faced was the inability to express myself freely online and completely share personal experiences. Face-to-face meetings connect young people more with one another. One feels freer to talk with peers in person rather than share with those you may never meet in real life. It’s hard to break the ice in digital meetings that make people feel uncomfortable speaking directly and opening up. Also, it is very important that, as educators, the things we share in theory with other peers come to life in practical ways. For example, online we can’t distribute free condoms, and it’s harder to teach young people how to use them correctly.   What lessons should governments and professionals who work with youth learn from the pandemic about how to look after young people’s health and wellbeing in a crisis?   They need to understand the realities of young people’s access to SRHR, the gaps we face, our needs etc. They need to carry out more surveys to see how young people are coping with all the changes since the pandemic. They need to give us youngsters more opportunities to raise our voices, to engage in activities, to work as volunteers, to give us more hope for our future. It’s extremely hard for a teenager to stay at home distancing him/herself from everyday life and joy. COVID-19 was devastating for young people and had a big impact on their perspectives on life and desire to do more. Mental health was affected. Young people need to be able to maintain a healthy life, to experience happiness, and to invest in their future to become good doctors, lawyers, engineers and so on, to build a better lifestyle. Social connections and communication are key to mental health - that’s why creating safe platforms with adequate and necessary information for young people’s needs is crucial for their well-being.   What is your number 1 recommendation on what is needed to make services more youth-friendly?  For services to be youth-friendly, it is crucial to build trust between young people and health professionals. Youth-friendly services are included in our primary health care package and are provided by other private institutions and NGOs such as ACPD through its own clinics. However, trust and communication need to be built. The role of health mediators is also very important, especially if they are young themselves. This facilitates communication with youth as it is easier to share with someone your age; you feel more understood and can open up when the service is presented in a friendly way. It’s also important to create positive environments where young people can engage with each other, for example reading or studying in groups to make it less hard for them to express their true selves. It makes a big difference when a young person finds a reliable service, and seeks help when they are feeling lost. So social workers and innovative communication methods in my opinion are the key.   Tell us about your experience as an activist for young people's health and rights! My experience has been great. It started in high school taking part in a social experiment and then I got more interested in topics like human rights, comprehensive sexuality education and SRH. I have learned so much from people I met during my activism years, I feel like my public speaking skills have gotten better with time. I have found subjects like SRHR which I feel are close to me because I’m about to become a doctor next year and my contribution started long ago in young people’s health. I’m constantly inspired by different projects to keep doing what I am doing now and create a stronger and empowered future for next generations here in my country Albania and beyond. I am happy that I have found role models in this journey of mine, I have heard speeches that are quotes for me to live by. I am grateful that there have been individuals that have pushed me to do better and engage more. I’m looking forward to the next chapters... * SRHR = sexual and reproductive health and rights Interview conducted by Marjo Rabiaj, a member of the regional youth group of the IPPF EN project Youth Voices, Youth Choices, funded by MSD for Mothers  

Youth Voices, Youth Choices research report front cover
30 March 2022

Youth access to SRH information, education and care in the Balkans in COVID times

COVID-19 created the largest health and socio-economic crisis of our generation. Many health systems were pushed to the brink by restrictive measures rushed in to respond to the pandemic, resulting in the deprioritisation of some existing healthcare services. In almost all European countries, COVID-19 had a negative impact on the delivery of vital sexual and reproductive healthcare, including maternal health and family planning, for women and groups that face barriers to accessing care, including young people. The pandemic also uncovered weaknesses within our systems and exposed the fact that countries are not adequately prepared to deal with health emergencies. To help bring about positive change for young people, IPPF European Network is working to strengthen healthcare systems through the project Youth Voices, Youth Choices, and to remove all kinds of barriers preventing youth from accessing essential care in five Balkan countries: Albania; Bosnia & Herzegovina; Bulgaria, Kosovo and North Macedonia. We are focusing particularly on the needs of those living in remote areas, as well as those from communities that face challenging social conditions, such as the Roma. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS In October 2022, IPPF EN launched a set of regional policy recommendations that call on decision-makers to listen to young people and uphold their SRHR as they build back health and social systems in the wake of the pandemic. Presented at the European Parliament on 26 October by youth advocates and experts, with the support of MEP Fred Matić, the recommendations were developed by a group of specialists who came together to develop a blueprint for designing systems that prioritise access to youth-friendly SRH care, and better support of young people’s health and well-being. The policy recommendations are available for download below. RESEARCH REPORT  As a basis for this work, in 2021 and early 2022, we conducted a study to provide us with a clearer picture of the impact of the pandemic on young people’s SRHR. The data was published in a series of reports presenting the findings of the study, carried out by and among youth in five Balkan countries. The reports, available for download below, document young people’s SRH needs and experiences and the perspectives of healthcare providers and other relevant stakeholders on these needs. They also capture the latter’s needs as they deliver services, information and education to young people, building on their experience of COVID-19. YOUTH VOICES Young people are at the heart of this work. They were part of the teams that carried out the research presented in the reports below. They participated in the expert groups that developed our regional recommendations for policy change (below) at national and regional level, and they are being supported and empowered to advocate for these changes. Youth were also in the lead at our 'Healthy Youth – Healthy Future' multi-stakeholder meeting in Tirana in spring 2023, where together with staff from our partner organisations they held discussions with decision-makers and experts from the field, concluding with the signing of a joint declaration on protecting the health and social wellbeing of young people during and beyond moments of crisis - available for download below.     Young people also carried out a series of interviews among their peers to share stories of how the pandemic affected their access to SRHR, and what their vision is for a more youth-friendly future that listens to the younger generations and upholds their SRHR.

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20 December 2018

"Many of the women we work with have no health insurance"

  Hatixhe Gorenca is a nurse at the Albanian Centre of Population and Development (ACPD) clinic in Tirana. She joined the center in 2013 with 39 years of experience working in gynaecology. During her time as a nurse, she has seen vast improvements in access and services for cervical cancer screenings. However, she says that there is a considerable number of women in rural areas that face difficulties in accessing healthcare, and some that cannot access it at all. Rural women & access “The ACPD clinic is crucial for these [rural] women, because the healthcare we offer through gynaecological visits, includes counselling, pap tests, colposcopies and recently VIA tests and cryotherapy. Services that are totally missing in their areas. What they appreciate most is the mobile clinic in the outskirts of Tirana, because they have an opportunity to meet with doctors and to get information about their health status. We do approximately 17-18 visits per day and the number is always increasing”, Hatixhe says. The clinic has developed a reputation for offering youth-friendly healthcare and information. The confidential and open approach of the clinic is providing access for girls to comprehensive sexual education at an early age, without fear of discrimination or embarrassment. When the clinic first introduced VIA testing in 2017, as an alternative way for the screening of cervical cancer, it was welcomed by the women. “The reason is that compared to PAP test, VIA gives an immediate response on the health of the cervical cells,” Hatixhe explains. “The other reason is economical. Many of the women we work with have no health insurance, as such they cannot benefit from the free tests at maternity hospitals. Furthermore, some of them are vulnerable women and they feel safe when they can get free information and healthcare at our clinic.”   Story originally published on www.ippf.org

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20 December 2018

"I do this work because I believe every girl and woman’s life counts.”

Scrolling through her social media page, 21-year-old Artemisa Seraj stumbled across a post from the Aulona Center offering seminars and workshops on sexual and reproductive healthcare for young people and students. Feeling like she had the opportunity to learn something about a subject that she and her friends rarely discuss, she decided to attend one of the seminars. “I found the information very interesting because we don’t talk very much about these things with my friends. It is still a taboo. On the other hand, we know that the sexually transmitted infections are being spread among youngsters, but we don’t know how to protect ourselves.” The first seminar went so well, Artemisa decided that she wanted to become a volunteer. “I like very much to pass the information on to others. So, I discussed with the Enela, the director of the center, to become a volunteer and here I am today.” Empowering women & girls Since becoming an activist Artemisa is now even more passionate about the importance of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for young people, gender equality and women’s rights. “I have known many other girls and women in our outreach activities that have no information about their reproductive and sexual life. Especially, girls from rural areas are the most deprived of this kind of information. The health centers have no staff or adequate equipment for gynaecological visits. Aulona center has high standards of friendly services for teenagers and youngsters, so you feel safe and not prejudiced against. Confidentiality is very high here and the doctors are very qualified. In the young groups, you feel like a community, you can speak openly about your concerns.” Artemisa hopes that by distributing information to women and girls, it is empowering them as well giving them an opportunity to fight for their own rights. “I do think that even a single person can contribute to the improvement of the situation regarding CSE. It is an instinct now, whenever I meet a woman, I talk about the center. My greatest satisfaction as an activist is seeing them coming to the center for a [health] visit or for counselling, because this means that my work has paid off. I do this work because I believe every girl and woman’s life counts.”

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20 December 2018

"Nowadays I feel much better and I am clean from signs of cancer”

Eleanor* is a mother of three children, she lives in Vlora, a city in south Albania. Eleanor and her children rely on her husband's modest income to survive. She is only too aware that her economic situation is a major barrier for her to access healthcare. Most treatments are referred to the capital, Tirana, or are at private clinics; incurring costs she simply cannot afford. When she heard about the Aulona Centre offering free PAP tests, she booked an appointment. “I have always admired women who take care of their health. Taking care of ourselves is decisive for our family wellbeing, children and relatives. But in our areas, it is difficult to get proper services, especially for reproductive health”, she says. Eleanor’s first PAP test was in 2012, the results came back negative. The doctor informed her that she had to come back in 3 years for another test. In 2015 she returned to the center, convinced that the results would again be negative. The results came back positive. “I remember the doctor underlining my name with red pen. She said to go to Tirana for further treatment because they had better equipment and staff there.” The encouragement from the staff of Aulona center helped Eleanor decide on her next steps. “While making my decision, I had this vision of my name underlined with red colour, which was an alert sign. So I contacted a doctor in Tirana and had the surgery in 2016. Nowadays I feel much better and I am clean from signs of cancer.” From a client to an activist Her experience with Aulona center has made Eleanor an ardent activist of reproductive health for women. “Every cousin in my family knows about my case. I encourage them to have a PAP screening although they don’t have any concern. For some of them is a matter of shame, because they think if you don’t have any problem, why you should expose intimate parts of your body to the doctor? I challenge them asking what it is more difficult: when the doctor says: Madam, you have few years to live left or just booking a visit? They listen to me more now because they see I recovered.” Through her activism, Eleanor has recently become aware of the VIA testing method and is enthusiastic about it. “The most wonderful thing about this new method [VIA] is that I don’t have to wait 3 weeks for the response. I recall the waiting period for the second test with my eyes attached to the telephone screen. Why are they not calling? Is there anything wrong with my results? VIA avoid all this anxiety, and you can start the therapy immediately.” Eleanor feels confident about her knowledge on sexual and reproductive health. Her own experiences allows her speak more openly with her 20-year-old old daughter, reminding her of the importance of regular screening. “The disease does not ask if you are rich or poor. I could have let myself at risk, but when interventions are at the right time, they save lives.” *Name has been changed   Story originally published on www.ippf.org

IPPF
20 December 2018

Revolutionizing access to cervical cancer screening in rural Albania

Albania is home to 2,870,324 people, approximately half are women and girls. The political events of the 1990s saw Albania become one of the poorest countries in Europe, leaving the nation to try and rebuild their fractured infrastructure. Including an ill-equipped healthcare system, that is still struggling to keep up with demand. Today, Albania benefits from a universal healthcare system, but not without its issues. Albania has the lowest proportion of doctors for its population in Europe - 115 per 100,000, meaning those that live in hard to reach and rural areas face additional barriers to life-saving healthcare. Barriers to healthcare Data from the Albanian Institute of Public Health suggests that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer. Although Albania has a national cervical cancer screening programme, it is not widely promoted, and the service is not always available. Relying on the traditional method of screening – the Pap smear – further complicates women’s access, as the majority of health centers lack basic equipment and resources including gynaecological beds and specialist gynaecologists. The long processing times from the initial test to receiving the results adds further complication to women seeking cervical cancer screening. The situation worsens when it comes to rural areas, where 45 percent of the population lives. Many women also face financial barriers when it comes to accessing healthcare. Increasing women’s access In December 2015, IPPF’s Member Association, the Albanian Centre of Population and Development (ACPD), began a campaign to increase women’s access to healthcare in rural areas. An alternative, faster and cost-effective cervical cancer screening tool and treatment plan were developed – a method known as VIA and Cryotherapy. Youth volunteers handing out material on cervical cancer screening. Working with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP), ACPD advocated for the nationwide inclusion of VIA and cryotherapy to Albania’s national cervical cancer screening program. There are many benefits to VIA, that include: Relatively inexpensive compared to pap smears A simple process that can be done with minimal equipment Results and treatment (cryotherapy) for pre-cancerous cells are immediate Quick turnaround time means fewer women lost in follow-up Can be performed by a wide range of medical professionals after training Since the launch of the campaign in 2015, ACPD has reached over 1000,000 women and men through their clinics, mobile outreach, videos and social media. 520 were young people and 390 men and women were based in rural areas. Between 2016-2017 3,274 women were screened and 70 healthcare providers were trained to give VIA tests and cryptography treatment. So far, the results have been encouraging. Mrs. Brunilda Hylviu, head of ACPD says that “this cost-effective cervical cancer screening tool is well-accepted, and most women were thrilled by the idea that the pre-cancerous lesions could be screened and eliminated at the same visit. We have seen tears of joy in women’s eyes and got heartfelt hugs from women who have been examined with VIA. Health professionals have a positive attitude regarding VIA because they can see in practice how effective it is with patients.” She says staff working at the health centers are very enthusiastic about VIA seeing the value it has added to the services they provide for their communities. National action plan for cervical screening For the Albanian Centre of Population and Development, 2018 is the year of advocacy. “What we ask from the Government is first to prepare a National Action Plan for the Screening of Cervical Cancer as other countries in the region did. Second, to include VIA as an effective method proved for screening in rural areas. We do agree that Albania as a European country should aim for highest standards of screening such as HPV, but considering that we still have areas where women live without potable water or electricity, we see VIA as an alternative screening method based on evidence approved by WHO. Our motto is that not a single woman should die from cervical cancer and a good national screening program that reaches every woman can achieve this objective.” The challenges ahead are still big, but Brunilda is hopeful that they can make a difference. “I am hopeful that we will have a positive result and we will succeed”, she says.   Story originally published on www.ippf.org.

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20 July 2018

How sexuality education is improving young people's lives in Albania

Young people from marginalised groups in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are being harmed by high levels of violence, discrimination and stigma, and it is enormously difficult for them to access sexuality education or the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care they need. ACPD – IPPF’s member in Albania - has put in place networks and training programmes that have enabled hundreds of stigmatised young people to develop knowledge and life skills that support their health and well-being. Young people who are sex workers, are part of the LGBTI community, inject drugs, live in poverty or rural communities, or are Roma, are the most likely to be denied sexuality education and access to non-judgmental sexual and reproductive health care. But ACPD has succeeded where many have failed before in reaching marginalised young people and having a positive impact on their lives.  Through sexuality education, ACPD and its partners have successfully equipped 785 young people with crucial life skills, building their knowledge about sexuality, relationships and safe sex, and strengthening their ability to make decisions, communicate, negotiate and plan for the future. As a result of this work, 500 young people have been cared for through ACPD clinics and/or other care providers in their communities. They have started to visit clinics, for example to seek condoms and counselling and ask to be tested for HIV. They talk about how they have changed their behaviour as a result of sexuality education programmes, and feel empowered to build healthier and safer relationships, based on equality and respect. One young man gave this feedback:   "I'm gay and a sex worker, which makes me feel judged twice over. In everyday life people sometimes call you “abnormal” and there are times when you go to a doctor or to get a HIV test, and they start using embarrassing labels which stop you from going back for care. I was invited to participate in ACPD's comprehensive sexuality education school. I learnt about my sexual rights, my right to access stigma-free services. I learnt about having safe sex and always using a condom. Now I have the courage to ask my clients to use a condom when they don’t want to. Knowing my rights gives me the courage to speak up for non-judgmental and friendly SRH services when I go to a health care centre. This school has improved my physical and mental health, my life in general. Sexuality education can empower us!" ACPD also organised sessions and trainings to empower marginalised young people to educate their peers and to advocate for their rights to sexual and reprodutive health care, for example showing them how to speak for themselves in decision-making spaces. Ensuring that stigmatised young people have a voice is essential to securing better care and support for their needs in the long-term. In an effort to reduce the harm caused by discrimination and violence from people in positions of authority (like the police), ACPD has also counselled stigmatised young people on how to deal with these hard issues.  Marginalised young people can become almost entirely reliant on health care provided by NGOs as they are abandoned by those closest to them, discriminated against by people who have a duty of care, and even vilified in some circles of society. IPPF EN and our partners will continue to ensure free, safe and dignified lives for all, especially those facing the greatest challenges.   More at ACPD - Albanian Center for Population and Development

ACPD youth volunteers distributing flyers in the streets of Tirana. © IPPF EN/Layla Aerts/Albania 2013
14 August 2013

Joining Forces for Voices and Accountability Initiative

ACPD youth volunteers distributing flyers in the streets of Tirana. © IPPF EN/Layla Aerts/Albania 2013 In partnership with IPPF's Western Hemisphere, and with the support of UKaid, we are carrying out a five-year advocacy initiative in 11 countries in Latin America and Central Asia/Eastern Europe to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to hold national governments accountable for their commitments to gender equality and universal access to sexual and reproductive health services. The Voices project works to develop robust civil society coalitions, fortify the advocacy skills and strategies of our MAs, and create favorable sexual and reproductive health and rights policies and programmes in each country. We accomplish these goals by providing educational trainings and workshops, on-going political analysis, pilot experiences assessing budget transparency, and technical assistance. IPPF EN produced an important monitoring and evaluation toolkit for advocacy activities within the framework of the Voices project involving 6 Member Associations from Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The toolkit aims to support Member Associations in their efforts to effectively map out and evaluate progress in their advocacy work. This user-friendly guide has also been translated into Russian. By using this toolkit, Member Associations have reinforced their logical frameworks, improvded their daily practice in monitoring and evaluation of advocacy activities and strengthened the quality of their reports. Naile 21 and Esma 18 are two young women from a Roma district in Tirana, visiting a nearby youth clinic center. Naile was married when she was 12. “That was my idea”, she says. Her husband died when she was 15. Now she wants to make a life of her own before she remarries. She wants to study English and work but has no means to pay for this. She stopped school when she was 11. Her sister Esma got married when she was 16. She now lives with her parents but would like to own her own home. She wants three children.The family earns their living out of collecting plastic bottles. They earn about € 5 per day. © IPPF EN/Layla Aerts/Albania 2013

ACPD in Albania champions the battle to prevent trafficking of young women and girls
14 August 2013

ACPD in Albania champions the battle to prevent trafficking of young women and girls

According to the very first report published this year on statistical data on trafficking in human beings at EU level, 23,632 people were identified or presumed victims of trafficking in the EU over the 2008-2010 period. Most victims detected in EU Member States are citizens from Romania and Bulgaria. Of the non EU countries, Albania’s citizens are among the most frequently prosecuted for trafficking inside the EU. Albanian women and girls are subjected to sex trafficking within the country as well as in foreign countries such as Greece, Italy, Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, as well as the rest of Western Europe.  Albania is also a destination country for victims of trafficking. IPPF Member Association in Albania, ACPD, outraged at the numbers of Albanian girls brutally abused in forced sex work has taken strong action to fight back. ACPD developed a programme, within an international campaign, called ‘Two Little Girls’ to reach out to vulnerable young girls and adolescents in schools.  ACPD  wants to empower young girls by opening their eyes to the dramatic reality of the sex trade; stimulating a debate in the class room; and educating young pupils about human rights; sexual and reproductive health and rights and the national and international legal framework in place to protect them.       The Association also works hand in hand with teachers and directors of schools. It reflected a lot about the best way to engage with young people and involve them in their efforts. Albania is one of the champions in the IPPF European Network in terms of youth friendly services and youth participation. Speaking out about such an emotional and dramatic topic is not easy, particularly with a very young audience, for this purpose, ACPD also used the ‘Two Little Girls’ animated film which was made in consultation with a group of Albanian women who had been trafficked into the UK. ACPD advocated for the inclusion of information on sex trafficking in a human rights’ education module created by the Directorate of Schools and endorsed by the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Albania. It is available to be used as a resource in all State schools within the five main cities of the country. The aim is to have this become a part of the National Health curriculum. Furthermore, conscious of the devastating dimensions the sex trade has reached in the Balkans, the Albanian Association decided to involve its neighbour colleagues and fellow activists on this topic. ACPD was instrumental in getting other IPPF Member Associations working on trafficking involved as partners in the campaign. Now Member Associations of Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Latvia, the Republic of Macedonia Serbia, and and work together to protect young girls.

Youth Voices, Youth Choices youth group
01 June 2023

Youth Voices, Youth Choices

Young people and groups with vulnerabilities in the Western Balkans face a great many barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive healthcare. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, they bore the brunt of additional obstacles to accessing information, support and care. COVID-19 demonstrated how fragile national health systems are and highlighted countries’ unpreparedness to deal with health emergencies. But it also stimulated creativity by civil society and other actors to counter these barriers, with digital outreach and support playing an expanding, crucial role. Youth Voices, Youth Choices is a project dedicated to learning from the COVID-19 experience in the Western Balkans to ensure sexual and reproductive health services, information and education become more accessible and youth-friendly in the long term, especially for marginalised groups. Running from 2020 until 2023, it brings together IPPF members and partners in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Kosovo, supported by IPPF EN’s Regional Office. Project partners have conducted research into the impact of the pandemic on young people’s SRH needs and access to services and information, and the role of integrated digital services, with a focus on communities living in remote areas and unfavourable social conditions. They are sharing good practices and empowering young people as campaigners and advocates using digital and offline education tools. And working in multi-stakeholder partnerships, they are developing policy recommendations to support advocacy and youth-led campaigns for stronger health systems and increased access to care, in and beyond emergency situations. In October 2022, IPPF EN launched a set of regional policy recommendations based on our research into how the pandemic affected young people. All partners also created national recommendations. Collectively, we built upon these through regional and national advocacy campaigns and actions. Check out our YVYC resources page! Take a look at our series of interviews carried out by young people with their peers on how COVID affected their access to SRHR information, education and care, and their vision for the future. RESEARCH REPORT  As a basis for this work, in 2021 and early 2022, we conducted a study to provide us with a clearer picture of the impact of the pandemic on young people’s SRHR. The data was published in a series of reports presenting the findings of the study, carried out by and among youth in five Balkan countries. The reports, available for download below, document young people’s SRH needs and experiences and the perspectives of healthcare providers and other relevant stakeholders on these needs. They also capture the latter’s needs as they deliver services, information and education to young people, building on their experience of COVID-19. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS In October 2022, IPPF EN launched a set of regional policy recommendations that call on decision-makers to listen to young people and uphold their SRHR as they build back health and social systems in the wake of the pandemic. Presented at the European Parliament on 26 October by youth advocates and experts, with the support of MEP Fred Matić, the recommendations were developed by a group of specialists who came together to develop a blueprint for designing systems that prioritise access to youth-friendly SRH care, and better support of young people’s health and well-being. The policy recommendations are available for download below. The policy recommendations were used to set advocacy priorities for further actions and campaigning. YOUTH VOICES Young people are at the heart of this work: as researchers, as members of the expert groups that developed policy recommendations, and as advocates and campaigners for change. They were also in the lead at the 'Healthy Youth – Healthy Future' multi-stakeholder meeting in Tirana in spring 2023, where youth representatives and staff from our partner organisations came together with decision-makers and experts from the field - see Tirana joint declaration on protecting the health and social wellbeing of young people. The young participants presented advocacy campaigns carried out at regional and national levels, and shared their needs and experiences at an event held in the Albanian parliament. For more information about this work, please contact us at: [email protected]           This work is funded by MSD for Mothers.

YVYC illustration of young people
25 October 2022

"Governments & health professionals need to give young people more opportunities."

We spoke to young people from the Western Balkans about how their access to sexual and reproductive health and rights was affected by the COVID pandemic, and asked them about their vision for re-designing a more youth-friendly future in which young people can flourish.  Greis Osmani is a 23-year-old from Tirana, Albania. She is a medical student, peer educator and activist for young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.   Greis, describe your experience of access to SRHR* education, information and care before and during COVID.  Before the pandemic, I used to take part in a lot of workshops, projects and volunteer work in national NGOs. As a volunteer, especially with the Albanian Center for Population and Development (ACPD), I was trained in subjects like abortion stigma, gender equality and rights, contraceptive methods and sexuality education. I was well informed about other topics such as HIV/AIDS. The first year of the pandemic, the focus of the government and NGOs etc shifted more towards COVID and general health issues, not related to SRHR. Step by step, young people and the general public started getting used to online platforms, which gave us other opportunities to hold trainings online and carry on sharing safe information with other youth.   Did anything change for the better during the pandemic in terms of access to SRHR? I believe it had pros and cons. First, we had to learn how to properly use new digital platforms and tools such as Zoom, Google Classroom and Meet, and add more interesting activities such as Murals and Quizzes. This made our online experience much more fun, aside from basic informative meetings, and we continue to use these platforms. Online platforms enable us to create a broader network of young people from different countries who connect more quickly, and for free, to share personal experiences as SRHR activists and empower one another. We are still learning and developing digital communication skills. We hope the moment will come when all young people feel comfortable using online tools, without facing a single barrier.   What was the biggest challenge for SRHR during the pandemic? One of the biggest challenges I personally faced was the inability to express myself freely online and completely share personal experiences. Face-to-face meetings connect young people more with one another. One feels freer to talk with peers in person rather than share with those you may never meet in real life. It’s hard to break the ice in digital meetings that make people feel uncomfortable speaking directly and opening up. Also, it is very important that, as educators, the things we share in theory with other peers come to life in practical ways. For example, online we can’t distribute free condoms, and it’s harder to teach young people how to use them correctly.   What lessons should governments and professionals who work with youth learn from the pandemic about how to look after young people’s health and wellbeing in a crisis?   They need to understand the realities of young people’s access to SRHR, the gaps we face, our needs etc. They need to carry out more surveys to see how young people are coping with all the changes since the pandemic. They need to give us youngsters more opportunities to raise our voices, to engage in activities, to work as volunteers, to give us more hope for our future. It’s extremely hard for a teenager to stay at home distancing him/herself from everyday life and joy. COVID-19 was devastating for young people and had a big impact on their perspectives on life and desire to do more. Mental health was affected. Young people need to be able to maintain a healthy life, to experience happiness, and to invest in their future to become good doctors, lawyers, engineers and so on, to build a better lifestyle. Social connections and communication are key to mental health - that’s why creating safe platforms with adequate and necessary information for young people’s needs is crucial for their well-being.   What is your number 1 recommendation on what is needed to make services more youth-friendly?  For services to be youth-friendly, it is crucial to build trust between young people and health professionals. Youth-friendly services are included in our primary health care package and are provided by other private institutions and NGOs such as ACPD through its own clinics. However, trust and communication need to be built. The role of health mediators is also very important, especially if they are young themselves. This facilitates communication with youth as it is easier to share with someone your age; you feel more understood and can open up when the service is presented in a friendly way. It’s also important to create positive environments where young people can engage with each other, for example reading or studying in groups to make it less hard for them to express their true selves. It makes a big difference when a young person finds a reliable service, and seeks help when they are feeling lost. So social workers and innovative communication methods in my opinion are the key.   Tell us about your experience as an activist for young people's health and rights! My experience has been great. It started in high school taking part in a social experiment and then I got more interested in topics like human rights, comprehensive sexuality education and SRH. I have learned so much from people I met during my activism years, I feel like my public speaking skills have gotten better with time. I have found subjects like SRHR which I feel are close to me because I’m about to become a doctor next year and my contribution started long ago in young people’s health. I’m constantly inspired by different projects to keep doing what I am doing now and create a stronger and empowered future for next generations here in my country Albania and beyond. I am happy that I have found role models in this journey of mine, I have heard speeches that are quotes for me to live by. I am grateful that there have been individuals that have pushed me to do better and engage more. I’m looking forward to the next chapters... * SRHR = sexual and reproductive health and rights Interview conducted by Marjo Rabiaj, a member of the regional youth group of the IPPF EN project Youth Voices, Youth Choices, funded by MSD for Mothers  

Youth Voices, Youth Choices research report front cover
30 March 2022

Youth access to SRH information, education and care in the Balkans in COVID times

COVID-19 created the largest health and socio-economic crisis of our generation. Many health systems were pushed to the brink by restrictive measures rushed in to respond to the pandemic, resulting in the deprioritisation of some existing healthcare services. In almost all European countries, COVID-19 had a negative impact on the delivery of vital sexual and reproductive healthcare, including maternal health and family planning, for women and groups that face barriers to accessing care, including young people. The pandemic also uncovered weaknesses within our systems and exposed the fact that countries are not adequately prepared to deal with health emergencies. To help bring about positive change for young people, IPPF European Network is working to strengthen healthcare systems through the project Youth Voices, Youth Choices, and to remove all kinds of barriers preventing youth from accessing essential care in five Balkan countries: Albania; Bosnia & Herzegovina; Bulgaria, Kosovo and North Macedonia. We are focusing particularly on the needs of those living in remote areas, as well as those from communities that face challenging social conditions, such as the Roma. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS In October 2022, IPPF EN launched a set of regional policy recommendations that call on decision-makers to listen to young people and uphold their SRHR as they build back health and social systems in the wake of the pandemic. Presented at the European Parliament on 26 October by youth advocates and experts, with the support of MEP Fred Matić, the recommendations were developed by a group of specialists who came together to develop a blueprint for designing systems that prioritise access to youth-friendly SRH care, and better support of young people’s health and well-being. The policy recommendations are available for download below. RESEARCH REPORT  As a basis for this work, in 2021 and early 2022, we conducted a study to provide us with a clearer picture of the impact of the pandemic on young people’s SRHR. The data was published in a series of reports presenting the findings of the study, carried out by and among youth in five Balkan countries. The reports, available for download below, document young people’s SRH needs and experiences and the perspectives of healthcare providers and other relevant stakeholders on these needs. They also capture the latter’s needs as they deliver services, information and education to young people, building on their experience of COVID-19. YOUTH VOICES Young people are at the heart of this work. They were part of the teams that carried out the research presented in the reports below. They participated in the expert groups that developed our regional recommendations for policy change (below) at national and regional level, and they are being supported and empowered to advocate for these changes. Youth were also in the lead at our 'Healthy Youth – Healthy Future' multi-stakeholder meeting in Tirana in spring 2023, where together with staff from our partner organisations they held discussions with decision-makers and experts from the field, concluding with the signing of a joint declaration on protecting the health and social wellbeing of young people during and beyond moments of crisis - available for download below.     Young people also carried out a series of interviews among their peers to share stories of how the pandemic affected their access to SRHR, and what their vision is for a more youth-friendly future that listens to the younger generations and upholds their SRHR.

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20 December 2018

"Many of the women we work with have no health insurance"

  Hatixhe Gorenca is a nurse at the Albanian Centre of Population and Development (ACPD) clinic in Tirana. She joined the center in 2013 with 39 years of experience working in gynaecology. During her time as a nurse, she has seen vast improvements in access and services for cervical cancer screenings. However, she says that there is a considerable number of women in rural areas that face difficulties in accessing healthcare, and some that cannot access it at all. Rural women & access “The ACPD clinic is crucial for these [rural] women, because the healthcare we offer through gynaecological visits, includes counselling, pap tests, colposcopies and recently VIA tests and cryotherapy. Services that are totally missing in their areas. What they appreciate most is the mobile clinic in the outskirts of Tirana, because they have an opportunity to meet with doctors and to get information about their health status. We do approximately 17-18 visits per day and the number is always increasing”, Hatixhe says. The clinic has developed a reputation for offering youth-friendly healthcare and information. The confidential and open approach of the clinic is providing access for girls to comprehensive sexual education at an early age, without fear of discrimination or embarrassment. When the clinic first introduced VIA testing in 2017, as an alternative way for the screening of cervical cancer, it was welcomed by the women. “The reason is that compared to PAP test, VIA gives an immediate response on the health of the cervical cells,” Hatixhe explains. “The other reason is economical. Many of the women we work with have no health insurance, as such they cannot benefit from the free tests at maternity hospitals. Furthermore, some of them are vulnerable women and they feel safe when they can get free information and healthcare at our clinic.”   Story originally published on www.ippf.org

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20 December 2018

"I do this work because I believe every girl and woman’s life counts.”

Scrolling through her social media page, 21-year-old Artemisa Seraj stumbled across a post from the Aulona Center offering seminars and workshops on sexual and reproductive healthcare for young people and students. Feeling like she had the opportunity to learn something about a subject that she and her friends rarely discuss, she decided to attend one of the seminars. “I found the information very interesting because we don’t talk very much about these things with my friends. It is still a taboo. On the other hand, we know that the sexually transmitted infections are being spread among youngsters, but we don’t know how to protect ourselves.” The first seminar went so well, Artemisa decided that she wanted to become a volunteer. “I like very much to pass the information on to others. So, I discussed with the Enela, the director of the center, to become a volunteer and here I am today.” Empowering women & girls Since becoming an activist Artemisa is now even more passionate about the importance of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for young people, gender equality and women’s rights. “I have known many other girls and women in our outreach activities that have no information about their reproductive and sexual life. Especially, girls from rural areas are the most deprived of this kind of information. The health centers have no staff or adequate equipment for gynaecological visits. Aulona center has high standards of friendly services for teenagers and youngsters, so you feel safe and not prejudiced against. Confidentiality is very high here and the doctors are very qualified. In the young groups, you feel like a community, you can speak openly about your concerns.” Artemisa hopes that by distributing information to women and girls, it is empowering them as well giving them an opportunity to fight for their own rights. “I do think that even a single person can contribute to the improvement of the situation regarding CSE. It is an instinct now, whenever I meet a woman, I talk about the center. My greatest satisfaction as an activist is seeing them coming to the center for a [health] visit or for counselling, because this means that my work has paid off. I do this work because I believe every girl and woman’s life counts.”

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20 December 2018

"Nowadays I feel much better and I am clean from signs of cancer”

Eleanor* is a mother of three children, she lives in Vlora, a city in south Albania. Eleanor and her children rely on her husband's modest income to survive. She is only too aware that her economic situation is a major barrier for her to access healthcare. Most treatments are referred to the capital, Tirana, or are at private clinics; incurring costs she simply cannot afford. When she heard about the Aulona Centre offering free PAP tests, she booked an appointment. “I have always admired women who take care of their health. Taking care of ourselves is decisive for our family wellbeing, children and relatives. But in our areas, it is difficult to get proper services, especially for reproductive health”, she says. Eleanor’s first PAP test was in 2012, the results came back negative. The doctor informed her that she had to come back in 3 years for another test. In 2015 she returned to the center, convinced that the results would again be negative. The results came back positive. “I remember the doctor underlining my name with red pen. She said to go to Tirana for further treatment because they had better equipment and staff there.” The encouragement from the staff of Aulona center helped Eleanor decide on her next steps. “While making my decision, I had this vision of my name underlined with red colour, which was an alert sign. So I contacted a doctor in Tirana and had the surgery in 2016. Nowadays I feel much better and I am clean from signs of cancer.” From a client to an activist Her experience with Aulona center has made Eleanor an ardent activist of reproductive health for women. “Every cousin in my family knows about my case. I encourage them to have a PAP screening although they don’t have any concern. For some of them is a matter of shame, because they think if you don’t have any problem, why you should expose intimate parts of your body to the doctor? I challenge them asking what it is more difficult: when the doctor says: Madam, you have few years to live left or just booking a visit? They listen to me more now because they see I recovered.” Through her activism, Eleanor has recently become aware of the VIA testing method and is enthusiastic about it. “The most wonderful thing about this new method [VIA] is that I don’t have to wait 3 weeks for the response. I recall the waiting period for the second test with my eyes attached to the telephone screen. Why are they not calling? Is there anything wrong with my results? VIA avoid all this anxiety, and you can start the therapy immediately.” Eleanor feels confident about her knowledge on sexual and reproductive health. Her own experiences allows her speak more openly with her 20-year-old old daughter, reminding her of the importance of regular screening. “The disease does not ask if you are rich or poor. I could have let myself at risk, but when interventions are at the right time, they save lives.” *Name has been changed   Story originally published on www.ippf.org

IPPF
20 December 2018

Revolutionizing access to cervical cancer screening in rural Albania

Albania is home to 2,870,324 people, approximately half are women and girls. The political events of the 1990s saw Albania become one of the poorest countries in Europe, leaving the nation to try and rebuild their fractured infrastructure. Including an ill-equipped healthcare system, that is still struggling to keep up with demand. Today, Albania benefits from a universal healthcare system, but not without its issues. Albania has the lowest proportion of doctors for its population in Europe - 115 per 100,000, meaning those that live in hard to reach and rural areas face additional barriers to life-saving healthcare. Barriers to healthcare Data from the Albanian Institute of Public Health suggests that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer. Although Albania has a national cervical cancer screening programme, it is not widely promoted, and the service is not always available. Relying on the traditional method of screening – the Pap smear – further complicates women’s access, as the majority of health centers lack basic equipment and resources including gynaecological beds and specialist gynaecologists. The long processing times from the initial test to receiving the results adds further complication to women seeking cervical cancer screening. The situation worsens when it comes to rural areas, where 45 percent of the population lives. Many women also face financial barriers when it comes to accessing healthcare. Increasing women’s access In December 2015, IPPF’s Member Association, the Albanian Centre of Population and Development (ACPD), began a campaign to increase women’s access to healthcare in rural areas. An alternative, faster and cost-effective cervical cancer screening tool and treatment plan were developed – a method known as VIA and Cryotherapy. Youth volunteers handing out material on cervical cancer screening. Working with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSP), ACPD advocated for the nationwide inclusion of VIA and cryotherapy to Albania’s national cervical cancer screening program. There are many benefits to VIA, that include: Relatively inexpensive compared to pap smears A simple process that can be done with minimal equipment Results and treatment (cryotherapy) for pre-cancerous cells are immediate Quick turnaround time means fewer women lost in follow-up Can be performed by a wide range of medical professionals after training Since the launch of the campaign in 2015, ACPD has reached over 1000,000 women and men through their clinics, mobile outreach, videos and social media. 520 were young people and 390 men and women were based in rural areas. Between 2016-2017 3,274 women were screened and 70 healthcare providers were trained to give VIA tests and cryptography treatment. So far, the results have been encouraging. Mrs. Brunilda Hylviu, head of ACPD says that “this cost-effective cervical cancer screening tool is well-accepted, and most women were thrilled by the idea that the pre-cancerous lesions could be screened and eliminated at the same visit. We have seen tears of joy in women’s eyes and got heartfelt hugs from women who have been examined with VIA. Health professionals have a positive attitude regarding VIA because they can see in practice how effective it is with patients.” She says staff working at the health centers are very enthusiastic about VIA seeing the value it has added to the services they provide for their communities. National action plan for cervical screening For the Albanian Centre of Population and Development, 2018 is the year of advocacy. “What we ask from the Government is first to prepare a National Action Plan for the Screening of Cervical Cancer as other countries in the region did. Second, to include VIA as an effective method proved for screening in rural areas. We do agree that Albania as a European country should aim for highest standards of screening such as HPV, but considering that we still have areas where women live without potable water or electricity, we see VIA as an alternative screening method based on evidence approved by WHO. Our motto is that not a single woman should die from cervical cancer and a good national screening program that reaches every woman can achieve this objective.” The challenges ahead are still big, but Brunilda is hopeful that they can make a difference. “I am hopeful that we will have a positive result and we will succeed”, she says.   Story originally published on www.ippf.org.

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20 July 2018

How sexuality education is improving young people's lives in Albania

Young people from marginalised groups in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are being harmed by high levels of violence, discrimination and stigma, and it is enormously difficult for them to access sexuality education or the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care they need. ACPD – IPPF’s member in Albania - has put in place networks and training programmes that have enabled hundreds of stigmatised young people to develop knowledge and life skills that support their health and well-being. Young people who are sex workers, are part of the LGBTI community, inject drugs, live in poverty or rural communities, or are Roma, are the most likely to be denied sexuality education and access to non-judgmental sexual and reproductive health care. But ACPD has succeeded where many have failed before in reaching marginalised young people and having a positive impact on their lives.  Through sexuality education, ACPD and its partners have successfully equipped 785 young people with crucial life skills, building their knowledge about sexuality, relationships and safe sex, and strengthening their ability to make decisions, communicate, negotiate and plan for the future. As a result of this work, 500 young people have been cared for through ACPD clinics and/or other care providers in their communities. They have started to visit clinics, for example to seek condoms and counselling and ask to be tested for HIV. They talk about how they have changed their behaviour as a result of sexuality education programmes, and feel empowered to build healthier and safer relationships, based on equality and respect. One young man gave this feedback:   "I'm gay and a sex worker, which makes me feel judged twice over. In everyday life people sometimes call you “abnormal” and there are times when you go to a doctor or to get a HIV test, and they start using embarrassing labels which stop you from going back for care. I was invited to participate in ACPD's comprehensive sexuality education school. I learnt about my sexual rights, my right to access stigma-free services. I learnt about having safe sex and always using a condom. Now I have the courage to ask my clients to use a condom when they don’t want to. Knowing my rights gives me the courage to speak up for non-judgmental and friendly SRH services when I go to a health care centre. This school has improved my physical and mental health, my life in general. Sexuality education can empower us!" ACPD also organised sessions and trainings to empower marginalised young people to educate their peers and to advocate for their rights to sexual and reprodutive health care, for example showing them how to speak for themselves in decision-making spaces. Ensuring that stigmatised young people have a voice is essential to securing better care and support for their needs in the long-term. In an effort to reduce the harm caused by discrimination and violence from people in positions of authority (like the police), ACPD has also counselled stigmatised young people on how to deal with these hard issues.  Marginalised young people can become almost entirely reliant on health care provided by NGOs as they are abandoned by those closest to them, discriminated against by people who have a duty of care, and even vilified in some circles of society. IPPF EN and our partners will continue to ensure free, safe and dignified lives for all, especially those facing the greatest challenges.   More at ACPD - Albanian Center for Population and Development

ACPD youth volunteers distributing flyers in the streets of Tirana. © IPPF EN/Layla Aerts/Albania 2013
14 August 2013

Joining Forces for Voices and Accountability Initiative

ACPD youth volunteers distributing flyers in the streets of Tirana. © IPPF EN/Layla Aerts/Albania 2013 In partnership with IPPF's Western Hemisphere, and with the support of UKaid, we are carrying out a five-year advocacy initiative in 11 countries in Latin America and Central Asia/Eastern Europe to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations to hold national governments accountable for their commitments to gender equality and universal access to sexual and reproductive health services. The Voices project works to develop robust civil society coalitions, fortify the advocacy skills and strategies of our MAs, and create favorable sexual and reproductive health and rights policies and programmes in each country. We accomplish these goals by providing educational trainings and workshops, on-going political analysis, pilot experiences assessing budget transparency, and technical assistance. IPPF EN produced an important monitoring and evaluation toolkit for advocacy activities within the framework of the Voices project involving 6 Member Associations from Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The toolkit aims to support Member Associations in their efforts to effectively map out and evaluate progress in their advocacy work. This user-friendly guide has also been translated into Russian. By using this toolkit, Member Associations have reinforced their logical frameworks, improvded their daily practice in monitoring and evaluation of advocacy activities and strengthened the quality of their reports. Naile 21 and Esma 18 are two young women from a Roma district in Tirana, visiting a nearby youth clinic center. Naile was married when she was 12. “That was my idea”, she says. Her husband died when she was 15. Now she wants to make a life of her own before she remarries. She wants to study English and work but has no means to pay for this. She stopped school when she was 11. Her sister Esma got married when she was 16. She now lives with her parents but would like to own her own home. She wants three children.The family earns their living out of collecting plastic bottles. They earn about € 5 per day. © IPPF EN/Layla Aerts/Albania 2013

ACPD in Albania champions the battle to prevent trafficking of young women and girls
14 August 2013

ACPD in Albania champions the battle to prevent trafficking of young women and girls

According to the very first report published this year on statistical data on trafficking in human beings at EU level, 23,632 people were identified or presumed victims of trafficking in the EU over the 2008-2010 period. Most victims detected in EU Member States are citizens from Romania and Bulgaria. Of the non EU countries, Albania’s citizens are among the most frequently prosecuted for trafficking inside the EU. Albanian women and girls are subjected to sex trafficking within the country as well as in foreign countries such as Greece, Italy, Kosovo, the Republic of Macedonia, Serbia, as well as the rest of Western Europe.  Albania is also a destination country for victims of trafficking. IPPF Member Association in Albania, ACPD, outraged at the numbers of Albanian girls brutally abused in forced sex work has taken strong action to fight back. ACPD developed a programme, within an international campaign, called ‘Two Little Girls’ to reach out to vulnerable young girls and adolescents in schools.  ACPD  wants to empower young girls by opening their eyes to the dramatic reality of the sex trade; stimulating a debate in the class room; and educating young pupils about human rights; sexual and reproductive health and rights and the national and international legal framework in place to protect them.       The Association also works hand in hand with teachers and directors of schools. It reflected a lot about the best way to engage with young people and involve them in their efforts. Albania is one of the champions in the IPPF European Network in terms of youth friendly services and youth participation. Speaking out about such an emotional and dramatic topic is not easy, particularly with a very young audience, for this purpose, ACPD also used the ‘Two Little Girls’ animated film which was made in consultation with a group of Albanian women who had been trafficked into the UK. ACPD advocated for the inclusion of information on sex trafficking in a human rights’ education module created by the Directorate of Schools and endorsed by the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Albania. It is available to be used as a resource in all State schools within the five main cities of the country. The aim is to have this become a part of the National Health curriculum. Furthermore, conscious of the devastating dimensions the sex trade has reached in the Balkans, the Albanian Association decided to involve its neighbour colleagues and fellow activists on this topic. ACPD was instrumental in getting other IPPF Member Associations working on trafficking involved as partners in the campaign. Now Member Associations of Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Latvia, the Republic of Macedonia Serbia, and and work together to protect young girls.