Under the theme “Nothing for Us Without Us”, Y-PEER (Youth Peer Education Network) in partnership with UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, and Youth Union of Turkmenistan has launched the third annual “10 Days of Activisim” (10 DoA) campaign from 1st to 10th September, 2012 in Turkmenistan.
For 10 days, young people in the capital and regions strengthened dialogue with local government representatives, lead peer education seminars, participated in radio and TV shows, organized thematic concert and much more.
Advocacy campaign at youth summer camps
Advocacy campaign on healthy lifestyle was conducted by the Y-PEER volunteers for youth at thirteen summer youth camps, including the specialized camps for young people with disabilities. More than 3500 young people raised their awareness on adolescent reproductive health and healthy lifestyle through the peer-education sessions and presentations conducted by Y-PEER volunteers.
Teen Hotline and Youth Centers in Mary and Ashgabat were also promoted during the campaign.
Youth Ambassadors Summit: Youth-Parliament dialogue
Youth-Parliament dialogue was established as part of the 10 Days of Activism campaign, where a group of 20 young ambassadors from the capital and region of Turkmenistan visited the parliament to discuss the revision of the Law on Youth Policy.
Before their visit, the young leaders participated at the Youth Ambassadors Summit, where they developed their leadership and decision-making skills, raised their awareness on adolescent reproductive health and rights issues, and learned about the Parliament functions, structure and legislation on reproductive health.
At the Parliament, Heads of the Education, Legislation and International Departments met the young people to share how the Parliament works and on existing legislation for young people. The young people raised questions on the Law on Youth Policy, which is currently being revised, and voiced their opinion on the framework for the Law, as well as the sections of the Law concerning the education reform.
Capacity building of Y-PEER network
A three day Y-PEER Training of Trainers (TOT) were held at the Youth Center in Ashgabat. The peer education sessions, besides public awareness raising of youth on adolescent reproductive health, also focused on advocacy and leadership skills. The comprehensive training programme included such issues as healthy lifestyle, gender equality, inter-generational connections, youth-adult partnership, reproductive health and rights, and civic engagement.
Concert dedicated to International Youth Day
A musical concert dedicated to the International Youth Day was organized at the Independence Park in Ashgabat.
The concert, with participation of Turkmen young popular singers, attracted three thousand young people, mainly university and college students.
During the event, Y-PEER volunteers conducted a mini-advocacy campaign and quizzing sessions on adolescent reproductive health, promoted Teen Hotline and Youth Centers in Ashgabat.
