The Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) Strategy was launched under National Rural Health Mission in 2006, which was followed by the launch of a more recent initiative, Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) in 2014. RKSK provides the framework for the adolescent sexual and reproductive health services and recognizes adolescents as a group with special and distinct needs beyond maternal health. Given this background, Sama believes that adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights must be located within the perspective that recognizes social determinants of health and universal health entitlements. Sama’s initiative on Enhancing Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) through health system engagement started in July 2012.
With an extensive experience in health and gender related advocacy and training, Sama is addressing the components of policy advocacy and health systems engagement within adolescent SRHR. This initiative is undertaken in five states i.e. Jharkhand, Odisha, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Sama is engaged with stakeholders at community and policy levels. These stakeholders are involved in the provisioning of Adolescent SRHR to understand and map policies, programmes and health systems related needs for adolescent.