04/21/2026
“Will they judge me?”
“Will someone see me?”
“What will they say?”
For many adolescents, these questions come before seeking access to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services (ASRH) due to the stigma around access.
Stigma turns access to ASRH into a source of fear.
As part of our ongoing efforts to promote adolescent health, we have been conducting ASRH community dialogues and training health workers in Lwengo District .
These dialogues and training sessions are also a response to stigma because they:
✅ Enable young people to speak openly without fear of judgment
✅ Health workers can better understand and respond to adolescents’ needs
✅ Misconceptions and biases can be challenged
When we address stigma, we open doors to better health outcomes for adolescents.