How do adolescent mothers triple their confidence to seek health services in less than 18 months? With programs that girls themselves design, that focus on her needs, and getting the support from the health system. To address the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of pregnant adolescents and first-time mothers in crisis-hit countries, the Adolescent Mothers Against All Odds (AMAL) initiative was designed to promote access to SRH information and services while also creating conversations around gender, power, and social norms to support a more enabling environment for adolescents to seek care. Launched in March 2020, AMAL was implemented in collaboration with Northwest Syria’s GBV sub-cluster to address adolescent SRH needs with the escalating humanitarian crisis in Syria to provide immediate health needs and tackle gender norms and biases involving adolescents in leadership roles through Adolescent Advisory Committees (AAC). Through United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency (UNFPA) funding, AMAL served in Syria from January 2020 – December 2020 with partners in Syria Relief and Development, Shafak and Ihsan. The initiative functions through 3 main components: Young Mother’s Club, engaging healthcare providers, and community engagement. These 3 components have proven successful as a holistic approach to shift norms and improve knowledge and access to SRH services among adolescents in crisis settings. Additionally, AMAL has contributed to global discussions on adolescent responsive SRH and GBV programming. As of 2024, the AMAL initiative is active in Syria, Nigeria (re-started) and most recently, Somalia. What changed? Across the first implementation countries, Syria, and Nigeria:
Currently, the AMAL Initiative is expanding into new countries and continues to explore opportunities across regions to support adolescents in crisis settings. It also continues to expand its approach to localize the program. In Nigeria for instance, CARE is rolling out AMAL for a 2nd time, in collaboration with local partners, the Neem Foundation and EYN. What’s new? AMAL, in addition to the 1st global evaluation data on Syria and Nigeria presented above, now has recent data coming from Somalia: In 2023, Somalia became the newest country to initiate the AMAL program. Early findings show incredible transformations unfolding among adolescent girls in Somalia.
AMAL + Nutrition integration: The Somalia AMAL team is ramping up efforts to improve connections to nutrition education, screening, and treatment. Adequate nutrition is crucial for adolescents’ growth and development, especially for pregnant girls and breastfeeding mothers. Graduates from the Young Mothers Club who become Adolescent Leaders are aiding their peers by conducting household visits to promote maternal nutrition and feeding practices for children under five. They’re also trained to screen for malnutrition and refer those in need for care. To date, Adolescent Leaders have screened nearly 250 children (122 girls, 125 boys) and over 200 pregnant and breastfeeding girls.
How did we get there?
What did we learn?
Where do we go next? We are looking to expand and link with other programs supporting adolescents. Please contact us if interested! Cecilliah Mbaka ( [email protected] ) and Allison Prather ( [email protected] ) Want to learn more? Adolescent Mothers Against All Odds (AMAL) – Locally Developed, Globally Scaled The AMAL Initiative, locally developed and globally scaled, addresses the SRH needs of pregnant adolescents and first-time mothers in different crisis-hit countries. Launched in March 2020, it involves activities like the Young Mothers’ Club to bridge the gap in SRH services and challenge gender norms, aiming to contribute to global discussions on adolescent responsive SRH and GBV programming. Read More AMAL website – here AMAL Initiative Toolkit – Language facilitator guide, curriculum, and toolkit for program implementers.
Read More (ENGLISH)Read More (ARABIC)
AMAL Initiative Flipbook – Visual aids designed to complement the toolkit.
Read More (ENGLISH)Read More (ARABIC)
AMAL Learning Report – This report consolidates learnings and recommendations on sexual and reproductive health service provision for adolescents in crisis settings from the first pilot of the AMAL Initiative in northwest Syria.
Read More (ENGLISH)Read More (ARABIC)
Falling Forward Podcast – here
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