A training on Comprehensive Family Planning which UNFPA organized in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health of Ethiopia was conducted between 9 and 20 May. The training was given with the objective of increasing the quality of SRH services and diversifying contraceptive options to female students enrolling in higher learning institutions.

A total of 123 health providers composed of health professionals from university clinics, health centers and Health Extension Workers took part in the training which was provided in Addis Ababa and Debre Zeit. The training involved both theoretical and practical sessions.

Many studies showed that students in higher learning institutions are exposed to unsafe sex leading to SRH related complications including unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. These are mainly due to lack of appropriate information, life skills and inaccessibility of youth friendly health services. 

UNFPA and other partners have been working for almost a decade to change the situation. This includes addressing accessibility and availability of SRH services including contraceptives, peer education and life skills training. Recently UNFPA collaborated with the Ministry of Education to organize a Training of Trainers to 80 professionals from all public universities to integrate SRH and gender in the curricula of higher education institutions.

There are more than 40 public universities and colleges in the country enrolling tens of thousands of students.