EsConESI / ItsSexEd

In Latin America and the Caribbean, a significant gap exists when it comes to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). Despite variations between countries due to social, economic, and cultural factors, numerous obstacles hinder the successful implementation of CSE across the region. These barriers encompass factors such as low quality of services, judgmental environments which fuel stigma and taboos, a lack of youth participation, and self-reliance. These challenges collectively heighten the vulnerability of young individuals in terms of their sexual and (non) reproductive rights. Insufficient support for active youth engagement further increases the risk of physical and mental health issues, including sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), unwanted pregnancies, gender-based violence, and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender expression. 

According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, Latin America and Caribbean is the only region where there continues to be an alarming increase in the number of girls under the age of 15 who are becoming mothers (Center for Reproductive Rights, 2019). The combination of pervasive sexual violence and limited access to sexual and reproductive health services places a heavy burden on adolescent women and girls in this region, who often find themselves obligated to continue pregnancies they didn't choose, leading to harmful consequences on their mental, physical, and social well-being. This situation significantly increases their vulnerability to life-threatening risks such as maternal mortality, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. The study carried out by the Center for Reproductive Rights demonstrates the disturbing reality of women and girls: 80% of sexual violations of girls and adolescents are concentrated in victims between 10-14 years old and girls under 15 are four times more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth than an adult woman (Center for Reproductive Rights, 2019).  

Despite the progress in legislation in some countries in the region related to sexual and reproductive health, such as access to contraception, treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), among others, significant barriers remain in the quality of services and lack of information which put adolescent women and girls at greater risk. Among the most progressive countries, specifically in the Southern Cone, over the past decade 15-20% births are to teenage mothers (UNFPA, 2017). In Argentina in 2019 there were approximately 70,000 teenage and child pregnancies, of which 70% were unwanted pregnancies. (Estado de la Población Mundial 2022 UNFPA). In the span of one year, there were 180 teenage and child births in Uruguay, 674 in Paraguay, 900 in Chile, and 21000 Brazil (UNFPA, 2021). 

Considering this shocking context, ensuring CSE is essential to shifting attitudes and behaviors, young people have shown a heightened awareness of these issues and have innovative ideas for promoting cultural change towards a more just society. However, the lack of opportunities for youth participation in public policy-making undermines the effectiveness of these policies as it fails to consider the needs of this age group. Therefore, it is imperative to include and emphasize the voices of young people in addressing these issues constructively.

As a result of the critical challenges mentioned above, we created EsConESI with the vision of a Latin America where every young person between the ages 15 to 24 is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, and where their voices are heard and valued in shaping policies and programs that most affect them. This vision is the driving force behind EsConESI, an groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting youth participation and ensuring CSE throughout Latin America.

We firmly consider CSE to be a fundamental right for all individuals. Our program EsConESI provides a secure space where youth activists between the ages of 15 and 25 can come together, voice their demands and ideas, and collaboratively develop advocacy strategies to drive the implementation of CSE in their respective communities.

EsConESI recognizes that addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that centers youth voices and actively engages young people in shaping the future of CSE in Latin America. Our program aims to bridge the existing gaps in CSE implementation by empowering youth activism providing them with accurate information and tools and creating a supportive environment for open and informed discussions about sexual and reproductive health. Through free virtual courses, via Zoom, we provide peer-to-peer training opportunities for young activists. Our learning approach fosters a safe and non-judgmental environment where young people can openly express, discuss, deconstruct, reframe, and reconstruct their ideals concerning effective, gender-sensitive, and diversity-inclusive CSE.

Through EsConESI, young people in Latin America are encouraged to participate actively in advocating for their right to CSE and creating educational materials that are relevant and accessible for their peers. Our program leverages multiple channels to reach young people, ensuring accessibility regardless of their location and socioeconomic status. Our approach includes: 1) user-centered website that provides abundant information, interactive content and a safe space for discussion on sexual and (non) reproductive health, as well as content co-created by youth participants, 2) online peer-to-peer training courses to strengthen youth activism, 3)  community-based incubation processes that engage local youth leaders, adults and relevant actors in order to develop collectively advocacy strategies that guarantee CSE across sectors.

By addressing the lack of CSE and youth participation directly, we aim to foster a future where every young person in the region can make informed decisions about their sexual and (non) reproductive health, thereby reducing vulnerabilities, preventing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality. 

From the start, we advocated for our programs to be created and led by young people thus ensuring that the initiative is relevant to young people, effectively addressing the demands of the new generations, and strengthening young individuals as agents of change. 

EsConESI is a multifaceted approach aimed to serve young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in Latin America. by providing essential knowledge, skills and support to lead healthier and safer lives where their voices are heard and their rights are guaranteed. EsConESI addresses critical issues that have a direct impact in young people’s lives in the following ways: 

1. Guarantee access to CSE that is accurrate, age-appropriate and inclusive, allowing them to have the key knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, consent, healthy relationships, respect for diverse gender identities and gender equality.  As a result, with this information, they can make informed decisions about their bodies and relationships, ultimately leading to healthier and safer lives.

2. Gender-Based Violence Prevention by equipping young people with tools and knowledge about recognizing negative behaviors and challenging gender norms. As well as promoting strategies that contribute to respect, equality and creating safer environments for themselves and others. 

3. Foster youth participation through creating a space for young people to voice their demands, ideas and concerns. By actively engaging youth in shaping public policies and programs that most affect them, EsConESI ensures their voices are heard and valued, promoting a sense of belonging and representation. 

4. Boost community engagement through incubation processes which promote collective action in designing advocacy products and strategies. This processes also raises awareness about the importance of guaranteeing CSE which is accurate, age-appropriate with a human rights perspective, and its impact in creating a safer, more inclusive and just society. 

Our team's composition, commitment to community engagement, and co-creation processes ensure that EsConESI is designed and delivered with a deep understanding of the needs, ideas, and agendas of the communities we serve. We are not just designing a program; we are fostering a movement driven by and for young people in Latin America, with a shared vision of a more informed, inclusive, and equitable society.

At Impacto Digital, we promote innovative, technological, measurable, and sustainable initiatives to solve specific social problems. Our team members come from diverse backgrounds, such as IT, communications, law, political science, human rights activists, and gender specialists, among others. In addition to our diverse skill set, our team has extensive experience in project management, data collection, monitoring and evaluation, finance, and accounting. This variety of expertise equips us to design and implement a well-rounded and impactful program.

Our team is led by Luciana Demichelis, Director of Projects and Programs at Impacto Digital. She holds a degree in teaching audiovisual arts from Universidad San Martín (UNSAM) and is also a filmmaker. She specializes in designing and managing communication and content strategies with a focus on gender and human rights perspectives. She has extensive experience in the field of education as a means to enable and promote fair and equal societies.

Our team also includes youth activists who are representative of the communities we serve. Assistant Leader Lucia De Mateo is a feminist comprehensive sexuality education activist and a Political Science student. Nikolas Gómez, a non-binary trans comprehensive sexuality education activist and law student with experience in the design and evaluation of social projects, leading content development. This diverse team ensures that the program is led and shaped by individuals who understand the unique challenges and perspectives of young people in Latin America. In addition the young activists part of our team play a pivotal role in ensuring that the program is not just designed for youth but by youth, reflecting their experiences and aspirations. 

Moreover, we actively involve young people in the co-creation process, inviting them to contribute their ideas, suggestions, and agendas. This ensures that the program resonates with their lived experiences and addresses their unique challenges effectively. Their active participation is key in shaping the content, format, and delivery of our program, making it more inclusive and relevant to responding to their needs.

Over 300 young individuals have participated and engaged in our incubation and training processes, through which we estimate that we indirectly reached more than 5,000 young people through social media campaigns. The growing interest in the subject is also evident in the increasing visits to our website, which receives an average of 40,000 monthly visits.

This groundbreaking initiative brings a new perspective and pioneering strategies to address the multifaceted challenges faced by young people in the region regarding CSE and their SHRH rights for the following reasons: 

1. Youth-Centered Approach: EsConESI places the aspirations and needs of young people at the forefront. It recognizes that to effectively address the unique challenges they face, the solutions must be driven by the very individuals affected. By creating a secure space for youth activists to voice their demands and ideas, EsConESI ensures that young voices are not only heard but also valued in shaping policies and programs.

2. Peer-to-Peer Learning: EsConESI leverages the power of peer-to-peer learning through virtual courses. This approach fosters a dynamic and engaging learning environment where young people learn from their peers. It creates a safe and non-judgmental space for open and informed discussions about SRHR and related topics, making the learning process not just educational but also empowering.

3. Youth-Led Educational Materials: One of EsConESI's innovative aspects is its creation of youth-led educational materials. These materials, ranging from videos to interactive modules, articles, and reports, are designed to be engaging and relatable. They are developed by young people, for young people, ensuring that the content resonates with the target audience. This approach guarantees that the information is not just age-appropriate but also relevant and impactful.

4. Advocacy Incubation: EsConESI goes beyond education; it empowers young activists to become advocates. By supporting youth in developing advocacy projects aimed at raising awareness about SRHR, EsConESI is creating a new generation of advocates who can drive lasting change. The focus on incubating these initiatives adds a practical dimension to the program's innovation.

5. Inclusivity and Cultural Sensitivity: The innovative spirit of EsConESI extends to its commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. The program understands that the challenges and experiences of young people vary across cultures, ethnicities, and communities. This recognition informs the development of resources and materials tailored to specific local contexts, making it a highly adaptable and effective solution.

6. Collaborative Alliances: EsConESI innovatively forms alliances with local organizations and collaborates across seven Latin American countries. These partnerships allow for the sharing of best practices, resources, and knowledge to enhance the impact of CSE initiatives throughout the region. 

EsConESI's innovation is not merely about doing things differently; it's about doing things better. By putting young people at the center, fostering inclusive learning, and driving advocacy, EsConESI represents a pioneering model led by young people for young people. The program demonstrates the power of youth-led solutions in addressing critical needs regarding CSE and SHRH across Latin America

EsConESI has set ambitious impact goals that align with our trajectory and mission. We recognize the critical importance of expanding our reach and influence to address the pressing issues of CSE and sexual and reproductive rights in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our objectives encompass the following key areas:

1. Expanding Regional Presence:

Building upon our three years of successful operation, we aim to further strengthen and expand our network of alliances throughout the region. We have demonstrated our capacity to collaborate with a diverse range of local partners, civil society organizations, and youth activists in various countries. In the immediate year ahead, we are embarking on a regional expansion program, commencing with six countries where we have firm support from our local partners. Our ultimate goal is to roll out the program in 15 Latin American and Caribbean countries, ensuring that young people across the region have access to quality comprehensive sexuality education.

2. Training Young Leaders:

Over the next five years, we are committed to training 100,000 young leaders across the region. This training will focus on sexual rights, effective participation, and advocacy strategies to advance the implementation of CSE in their respective countries. By equipping youth activists with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be change-makers, we aspire to drive positive policy changes. Our vision is that these well-informed, empowered young leaders will influence policy-makers to develop and implement legislation that protects sexual and (non) reproductive rights and guarantees quality CSE in all Latin American countries.

3. Expanding Partnerships and Alliances:

To achieve these ambitious goals, we will continue to expand and strengthen our partnerships and alliances. Our existing partnerships with local youth organizations, such as CIES Salud Sexual – Salud Reproductiva in Bolivia, Impacto Digital in Costa Rica, APROFAM in Guatemala, Centro Paraguayo de Estudios de Población (CEPEP) in Paraguay, and INNPARES, Centro de Salud Sexual y Reproductiva in Perú, will play a vital role in facilitating program expansion. Additionally, we are committed to continuing our fruitful collaborations with international organizations, including UNFPA, UNICEF, and Fós Feminista, which have been pivotal in supporting our mission.

4. Regional Network of Youth Organizations:

To create a sustainable and impactful movement, we intend to establish a regional network of local youth organizations dedicated to promoting and guaranteeing CSE in Latin America. This network will serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices, as well as for collectively advocating for comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive rights across the region.

In summary, EsConESI's impact goals for the next year and the next five years are rooted in a commitment to empower young people, strengthen partnerships, and foster regional collaboration. We are dedicated to ensuring that sexual and reproductive rights, as well as comprehensive sexuality education, become a reality for all young individuals in Latin America and the Caribbean. By expanding our reach, training young leaders, and building a network of allies, we aim to create lasting change in the region. 

6 Full-Time staff 

4 part-time staff - mentor and advisory group made up of former participants 

3 years 

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our organization. We uphold our organization to represent the communities it serves.

Our organization has various programs which advocate for human rights, within a transversal and intersectional perspective, and have specific target populations as beneficiaries: #EsConESI/#ItsSexEd works with young people and youth, Contratá Trans was created by and works with the travesti, trans and non-binary community, Dale Más Afro led by and works with afro-descendent population, Cuida Bien works with people who care for their families, mostly women. We believe the voices of these target populations are not being heard, and in turn, are not given an opportunity to occupy decision-making spaces. 

In our organization we believe that finding effective and innovative solutions to specific social problems means that the people whose experiences are affected by these problems lead each process. For that matter, our programs are represented and coordinated by members of the communities each program serves.

Over the past three years, all previous editions of our program have demonstrated results in guaranteeing financial sustainability. Furthermore, our fundraising team develops a medium and long term strategy to guarantee sustainability of our programs through grant-making, sponsorship, and private donations. 

Finally, our financial and fundraising team, made up of two professionals, are responsible for developing a medium and long-term strategy to guarantee sustainability of our programs through grant-making, sponsorships and private donations. Program and project leaders are responsible for allocating and executing their budgets assigned in coordination with the administrative team. 

Throughout past editions of EsConESI, we have counted on the following funding sources: 

1. August - December 2020 - "ESIgualdad: Youth Solutions to End Gender-based Violence" - USD $25,000 - Spotlight Initiative, via UNFPA Argentina.

2. March - June 2021 - "#EsConESI: Youth Solutions to End Gender-based Violence" - USD $26,413.62 - Spotlight Initiative, via UNFPA Argentina.

3. July - November 2021 - "#EsConESI: Youth Solutions for HIV and STI Prevention" -  USD $18,000 - UNAIDS, via UNFPA Argentina

4. August - December 2021 - "#EsConESI - Youth Perspectives on CSE in Latin America" - USD $14,502.78 - FosFeminista. 

5. April - November 2022 - "#EsConESI- Strengthening of active youth participation to Prevent Gender-based Violence" - USD $43,000 (US dollars) - Spotlight Initiative, via UNFPA Argentina.

6. February - November 2022 -  "Regional #EsConESI - Guarantee Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Latin America through active youth participation" - USD $50,000 - FosFeminista.

7. March - October 2023 -  "Regional #EsConESI -  Guarantee Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Latin America through active youth participation" - USD $25,000 - FosFeminista.

8. August-October 2023 - EsConESI - Strengthening of active youth participation to guarantee CSE initiative ‘Plan A’ - USD $3.000 - UNICEF

9. May - December 2023 - Regional EsConESI - Provincial dialogues to strengthen active youth participation and guarantee CSE  - USD 5.000 - UNFPA Argentina 

Transparency is at the core of our organization, therefore, we publish an annual Transparency report on our website.