RFSU Project: Advancing SRHR 

The 2025 RFSU Project is a transformative initiative spearheaded by FPA Sri Lanka to strengthen Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) across Sri Lanka, with a strong focus on reaching marginalized and underserved populations. This year’s programme prioritizes three core thematic areas: Disability and SRHR, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), and Harm Reduction and Gender-Based Violence Prevention.

Key Thematic Areas and Interventions

1. Disability and SRHR

Recognizing the rights and needs of youth with disabilities, FPA has partnered with the Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf (SLCFD) to deliver inclusive SRHR programming. A multisectoral steering committee, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, UNFPA, and other stakeholders, guides strategic planning.

Following a 2024 needs assessment involving deaf adolescents in Kandy, Ratmalana, Matara, and Jaffna, the 2025 programme focuses on:

• Teacher Training: Training 26 teachers from special schools (20 Sinhala-speaking and 6 Tamil-speaking) to deliver SRHR education to deaf students.
• Youth Engagement: Conducting SRHR and CSE sessions for 30 deaf youth.

Future programming includes:

• Awareness sessions and CSE programmes for deaf youth.
• Educational videos introducing SRHR terms in sign language.
• Training interpreters on SRHR communication.
• School-based SRHR programs led by trained MOH doctors.
• Follow-up review sessions for trained teachers.

2. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)

Empowering young people with knowledge and leadership skills is central to the CSE component. This year’s initiatives include:

• Training of Trainers: 50 youth from Nuwara Eliya and Puttalam (25 Sinhala-speaking, 25 Tamil-speaking) will be trained as SRHR trainers, who will then train 250 additional youth in their communities.
• Study Visit: A learning exchange visit to Cambodia to explore innovative CSE delivery models and overcome cultural and religious barriers.

Future activities (Oct 2025 – Dec 2026) include:

• Training 25 youth in Koggala as CSE trainers
• CSE refresher sessions for youth in Nuwara Eliya and Puttalam.

3. Harm Reduction and Prevention of SGBV

To promote harm reduction and address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), the project will:

• Conduct SRHR and harm reduction training for Child Rights Protection Officers (CRPOs), Women Development Officers (WDOs), and National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) staff in Puttalam, Nuwara Eliya, and Koggala.
• Deliver value clarification, attitude, and transformation (VCAT) training for women’s organizations in these districts.
• Organize a three-day workshop on SRHR and SGBV SOPs for Service Delivery Point (SDP) staff.
• Run bi-monthly legal clinics to offer legal support and advice for SGBV survivors.

Strategic Partnerships

The RFSU Project thrives on strong collaboration across sectors. Key partners include:

• Government Bodies: Ministry of Health (Family Health Bureau, Health Promotion Bureau), Ministry of Education (Departments of School Health and Nutrition, Special Education, and Publications), and the National Institute of Education.
• UN Agency: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
• Civil Society: Sri Lanka Central Federation of the Deaf (SLCFD).