Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT)

SAYWHAT is a membership based institution, founded in December 2003 as a platform where students in tertiary institutions can discuss their sexual and reproductive health challenges. SAYWHAT draws its membership from more than 36 tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe in the categories of teacher training colleges, agricultural colleges, polytechnics, vocational training colleges and universities. In the past 10 years, its overarching aim has been to foster, among the students, a sharp sense of personal responsibility for maintaining good sexual and reproductive health status. SAYWHAT also seeks to mobilize students in Zimbabwe and beyond to participate in the promotion of the global targets and goals for better sexual and reproductive health. Vision A Southern Africa where students and youth enjoy their full sexual and reproductive health and rights Mission SAYWHAT seeks to enhance the capacity of students and youth in Zimbabwe and the region to lead healthy lives. Theory of Change SAYWHAT’s theory of change is underpinned in the institution’s Strategic Plan 2014-2018. To achieve the desired goals, the CISA approach is used- Capacitate Integrate, Support and Advocate. 1) Capacitate SAYWHAT offers skills building, information provision and knowledge that enables student structures (LCC, PCC, NCC & or Peer educators) and student support structures (including college nurses, HIV & AIDS coordinators & Student affairs departments, community based youth organizations) as well as other structures and implementing agencies to better respond to SRH challenges and needs. 2) Integrate SAYWHAT follows a model of integrating its work on SRHR with issues of life skills, access to quality education and other essential services, respect for academic freedoms, livelihoods and entrepreneurship, among other key development issues, in order to ensure that it creates more resilient students and young people 3) Support 4) Advocate