Addis Ababa University (AAU) School of Public Health organized a research launching workshop for the project entitled “Engaging Adolescents in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in Ethiopia” at Capital Hotel on the 26^th of May 2022.

The project was initiated with the collaboration of AAU’s School of Public Health, Trinity College of Dublin and Amref Health Africa with the objective of determining what adolescents consider to be, their meaningful engagement within SRH and describing a model of good practice for how to involve adolescents in SRH Programming.

Three operational sites in North Shoa Zone of Amhara region: Ensaro as well as Kewet woredas and Shewarobit town are selected with persistent engagement of adolescents 10-14 and 15-19 years of age in participatory action research.

Nicola Brennan, Ambassador of Ireland to Ethiopia expressed that Ireland has longstanding relationship with Ethiopia in general and Ministry of Health in particular that they have done collaborative health issues for many years in so many projects.

She also added that the collaboration with AAU’s College of Health Sciences is the base for the present project and it is very important for Ethiopia which female sexual and reproductive health is given less emphasis especially sexual transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.

Mitike Molla (PhD), Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer of AAU, said that adolescents and youth constitute the largest number of the Ethiopian population and there have been efforts to offer them opportunities and reach them with relevant services.

“AAU is a pioneer higher training institution in Ethiopia that has contributed among others for holistic development of young people as future development architects. As such and as part of our long standing commitment for aligned academic research and community services, the different faculties of the University have specific contributions to the overall endeavor to adolescent and youth development in general and SRH in particular,” Dr. Mitike said.

Finally, Dr. Mitike thanked the Irish government for the financial support to carry out this research project.

The Co-PI of the project Mirgissa Kaba (PhD) from School of Public Health, AAU and Dr. Ann Nolan from Trinity College, Dublin clarified the detailed plan and ongoing activities in the project.

Reporter: Tsion Aysheshim

Editor: Abraham Girmay