Reproductive Health
Supporting Health Promotion for Adolescents
A particular project of the HRDF that has started in 1998, provides
accurate information and responsible behavior training in sexual
and reproductive health to adolescents. In cooperation with the
Departments of Education of universities in the three major cities
of Istanbul, Izmir and Bursa, a training program and related materials
are developed for teachers who serve as trainers. The program is
being implemented in four faculties and aiming to expand in all
educational schools nationwide.
On July 2001, as a component project, a series of interrelated
activities were planned to contribute to addressing adolescent'
health promotion needs and to integrate health promotion topics
in curricula of formal and non-formal education. Through the project,
the schoolteachers will be trained on health education as well.
In February 2002, a situation analysis of existing reproductive
health programs and the information needs of the adolescents was
submitted to the MoNE's authorities.
Sexual Health on BBC
A project has been implemented in collaboration with BBC and IPPF
between 1999-2000. A radio program on sexual health for youth was
broadcast and a booklet was published to be distributed to young
people. Also a toll free phone number was installed to provide counseling
on sexual and reproductive health issues.
In-service Training for University Residents
Lessons drawn from the past activities show that the quality care
is directly linked to in service and pre-service training programs.
Building on this experience, HRDF has started to implement a project
with the financial support of UNFPA and in collaboration with the
MCH/FP General Directorate of Ministry of Health, in 2001. During
the project, approximately 200 residents from Ob/Gyn, Family Health,
Public Health and Pediatrics departments of Training Hospitals in
Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir and Adana will be trained on Reproductive
Health issue in two years.
Training in the Referral Sites of Willows Foundation
The Human Resource Development Foundation in collaboration with
Istanbul University Woman and Child Health Training and Research
Center has conducted a survey to assess the quality of care at Willows
Foundation referral sites in Istanbul and Diyarbakır and undertook
an intervention for quality improvement in 2001. The purpose of
this study was to improve the collaboration and quality of services
at referral sites, which would enhance the target population receiving
better reproductive health services.
Recently, another study has been conducted with the collaboration
of HRDF and WCHTRC to asses the attitudes and needs of service providers.
Based upon the findings of this study, a training program will be
implemented in the region with the collaboration of Istanbul Bar
Association's Women's Rights Implementation Center and Pusula Consultancy
Firm.
Wellbeing of Children and Youth
Working Children
HRDF is a participant in the International Program on the Elimination
of Child Labor (IPEC) since 1994. In 1996, with the support of the
International Labor Organization (ILO), HRDF designed and provided
an orientation and information program for primary school inspectors
and administrators, teachers and families in areas where high levels
of child labor are persistent in Istanbul. The program aims at increasing
awareness on the problem of working children and generating greater
support for them within the formal education system.
As a continuation of these efforts, HRDF has implemented another
program between 2000-2001 to support children working in textile,
furniture and auto repair workshops by educating their parents and
employers to on child labour issues and creating opportunities for
these children to reparticipate in the education system.
Music for Youth
HRDF has started a new program to create job opportunities to the
skilled youth from slums. The foundation coordinates music technology
skills training collaboration with UK's famous band Asian Dubb Foundation's
Education Department, HIP Productions and ?i?li Municipality. The
technical skills provided by the project will create new job opportunities
for young people, who are underprivileged.