| Issue/Objective |
Access to accurate menstrual health (MH) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information remains a major gap for millions of adolescents, particularly in low-resource settings. From 2020 to 2024, Be Girl piloted and scaled a youth- and community-led MH education model in Mozambique and Angola. Leveraging MH as an age-appropriate entry point to SRH and HIV prevention, the program aimed to develop a replicable, cost-effective strategy to deliver critical health education at scale, empowering adolescents and key community gatekeepers. |
| Methodology/Approach |
In partnership with UNFPA, national ministries, and global funders, Be Girl developed a scalable, youth-led curriculum tailored to local contexts and literacy levels. Through a Training of Trainers model, young women became peer educators and health leaders. In Mozambique, youth-led, data-driven implementation validated reach and cost-effectiveness. Lessons informed successful replication and scale-up in Angola, where the model was refined for sustainable impact in adolescent SRH and HIV prevention. |
| Results |
From 2020-2022 in Mozambique, 178 youth educators reached over 297,000 people, adolescents, parents, teachers, and health workers, within 12 months, prompting government adoption of the curriculum as the national MH standard. In Angola, the program scaled from 2,000 girls in 2021 to 200,000 by 2024, fueled by World Bank funding and strong early data. Impressively, 100% of youth facilitators were later hired by partners, proving the model's sustainability and capacity-building success. |
| Discussion/Conclusion |
The Be Girl model showcases the power of youth-led approaches to transform global health, particularly in menstrual health (MH) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH). By training young women as peer educators, the program expanded access to accurate health information while reducing stigma and fostering gender-equitable communities.
Government adoption in Mozambique and rapid scale-up in Angola highlight the model's effectiveness, scalability, and policy alignment. Impact measurement and data-driven strategies ensured adaptability and cost-efficiency, reinforcing sustainability.
Crucially, 100% of Be Girl-trained facilitators were later hired by partners, underscoring strong capacity transfer and institutional buy-in.
This model offers a proven, replicable blueprint for other low-resource settings. With the right partnerships and catalytic investment, it has the potential to drive a generation-wide shift in how adolescents access, understand, and advocate for their health. |
| Presenters and affiliations |
Hortência Franco Be Girl |
