Empowering Young Women for a Promising Future

We are focused on the following specific problems:

• INADEQUATE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AWARENESS:
• STIGMATIZATION AND SOCIAL TABOOS:
• LIMITED ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES:
• INADEQUATE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT:

As we wait for the authorities to address the field of sexual and reproductive education through specific solutions (curricula, handbooks, teacher education, peer education, volunteering advisors, etc.), we have no choice but to embark on creating solutions   through NGO projects supported by donor who recognize the pertinence of this burning issue. Legal framework in B&H has not arranged mandatory education in terms of sexual and reproductive education. The Ministry of Family, Youth, and Sports of the RS made a statement to the Factor magazine about the earlier field research titled: “Analysis of demographic situation and application of birth rate improvement measures in the RS” and “Fertility, abortion, and contraception in the RS”, corroborating that the young exhibited the lack of information and knowledge on reproductive health. The aforementioned leads to early engagement in sexual activities, the increase of sexually transmissive diseases, and unwanted pregnancies, which only end with an abortion or miscarriage.

The available special reports by the Children’s Ombudsman in the RS suggest that there is no prevention programmes and formal education about the topic. A study conducted within 523 high schoolers (60 percent of boys and 40 percent of girls) from 17 different high schools indicates that most children get their information on the topic from the media (67%), their parents (39%), and their peers (33%), with the schools being the last resource (15%).

Stigmatization and societal taboos are also pervasive issues in our region, primarily influenced by the religious and societal convictions that predominate here. In practice, girls and boys attend separate classes on the issue at their schools. The sense of shame experienced by young women can give rise to inner conflicts, feelings of insecurity, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations, potentially hindering them from obtaining comprehensive education, with far-reaching repercussions for their reproductive health. The average annual number of abortions at the University Cinical Center of RS is 220-250, with reasons being both medical indications and undesired pregnancies. We only know the number of reported abortions because private clinics do not want the give any statements. The numbers are tricky because in the 1982-1992 periods the number of abortions was larger than the number of delievered pregnancies (5,500-6,500 annually) in public hospitals.

Certain segments of the community, particularly those residing in rural areas or belonging to minority groups, encounter significant barriers in accessing healthcare facilities. In Republika Srpska, this challenge is exacerbated by factors such as migration trends and the global shortage of healthcare resources.

According to the WHO studies, less than one forth of minors display no mental health issues upon pregnancy termination, and many of them have lifetime traumas. The death risk connected with pregnancy termination and complications is twice as big for women aged 15-19, and five times bigger for girls aged 10-14, compared with women older than 20.

We will address our solutions through the following activities:

• INADEQUATE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION:
• OVERCOMING STIGMA AND TABOOS:
• LIMITED ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE SERVICES:
• INADEQUATE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT:

Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals, including gynecologists and obstetricians, is collaborating to create an informative brochure aimed at educating and enlightening young women about the significance of reproductive health. This comprehensive resource will cover the following essential topics:

Preventing unwanted pregnancies (offering insights into various contraception methods).

Practicing safe sex (providing guidance on responsible behavior in sexual relationships).

Understanding sexually transmitted diseases.

Preventing cervical cancer.

The brochure will underscore the significance of regular gynecological examinations while dispelling common misconceptions and reservations surrounding them. By distributing these educational materials and promoting them online, we aim to make a wealth of information readily available to young women.

Our team of mental health professionals, including psychotherapists, is addressing the issues of social stigma, shame, as well as bias and judgment young women often encounter when discussing or seeking information on subjects like contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, infections, or abortion. We will provide a dedicated contact email and web platform where questions can be directed to psychologists and gynecologists, ensuring that all inquiries are promptly answered.

Within our initiative, we focus on initial gynecological assessments—a pivotal step in safeguarding reproductive health. Invitations for free examinations will be accessible on our website and within our educational materials. The examinations will be conducted in specialized clinics affiliated with our project.

• The comprehensive gynecological examinations will encompass the following components:
• Reception and Consultation: The physician will initiate the examination by discussing the patient's medical history, including details about their menstrual cycle, sexual activity, family medical history, and any pre-existing health issues.
• External Examination: A meticulous assessment of the external genitalia will be performed to identify potential irregularities, infections, irritation, or other notable changes.
• Internal Examination: The doctor will conduct a thorough examination of the vaginal canal and cervix, including swab tests to detect sexually transmitted diseases.
• PAP Test (Papanicolaou Test): This test will be administered to assess the presence of abnormal cervical cells, which may indicate potential concerns, including the risk of cancer.
• Counseling and Education: During the examination, the physician will offer guidance on matters pertaining to reproductive health, contraception, the prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and other crucial topics.
• Encouraging Communication: The doctor will also actively encourage open dialogue, discussing patients’ inquiries, concerns, or fears, thereby breaking down any feelings of embarrassment or shame.

Acknowledging the critical role of emotional and psychological support, our project offers access to an expert who will address these concerns through confidential conversations. We will provide an anonymous email platform for all questions. Additionally, we will disseminate information via brochures and our website to reach a broad audience of young women. Furthermore, young women will have the opportunity to engage with a professional via phone during scheduled times.

Our initiative, aimed at enhancing access to reproductive health for young women, has an immediate and direct impact on various user groups, including:

YOUNG WOMEN: As the primary beneficiaries of our solution, young women gain easier access to quality healthcare, encompassing gynecological examinations, counseling, and testing for sexually transmitted diseases, such as cervical cancer screenings. This directly contributes to heightened awareness of the importance of reproductive health.

YOUNG MEN: Although the primary focus centers on young women, young men also benefit from education regarding reproductive health and safe practices, as they play a pivotal role in ensuring reproductive health.

COMMUNITY: The improvement of access to reproductive health and heightened awareness, along with increased examinations, significantly influences the entire community. This encompasses a reduction in unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and an overall enhancement in the health of young individuals.

FAMILIES OF YOUNG WOMEN: Parents and families in general benefit from our solution, as it ensures that young girls and children have access to quality care. Simultaneously, the financial burden on families is alleviated, given that the project subsidizes gynecological examinations.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND LOCAL HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS: Our solution streamlines the provision of reproductive health care, alleviating the workload on healthcare professionals and local healthcare facilities in the Republic. Private gynecological examinations reduce the strain on the healthcare system.

THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA - ENTIRE HEALTH SYSTEM: Through preventive measures and early gynecological examinations, our solution ultimately lessens the fiscal burden on the Republic. By identifying malignant diseases at their initial stages, the government incurs lower costs for early interventions compared to the advanced stages of disease development.

In totality, our solution holds the potential to provide 100 initial gynecological examinations for young women, educate over 10,000 other young women and men through brochures and personal contact, impact the lives of over 100,000 community members, and contribute several thousand convertible marks to the Republic's budget.

We will elucidate the most compelling rationale through the thesis, "THREE STRENGTHS, ONE GOAL." This thesis embodies the unity and determination of three remarkable women, each with their unique life journeys, collaborating as a formidable team within the "ITEA" Association:

Prof. Dr. Vanja Sredojević, born on October 24, 1973, in Gradiška, holds a Doctorate in Economic Sciences and is a university professor in two academic disciplines: International Economics and Marketing. With over two decades of experience in education, she lectures on five subjects within these fields at the Faculty of Business Economics, Aperion University, Banja Luka. Vanja's profound commitment is fueled by her role as a mother of a child with special needs, driving her to share love and surmount obstacles daily. As a university professor, she recognized the challenges faced by young women in the realm of reproductive health and their lack of education and information, drawing on her personal experience as both an educator and a mother.

Dr. Nevena Vučen Papić, born on March 12, 1982, in Sisak, Croatia, has earned a Doctorate in Philological Sciences and serves as an ESL and ESP teacher, amassing over 18 years of experience in higher education. Apart from her academic role, she has authored numerous works within the specialized domain of the English language. As a single mother who has successfully navigated the challenging path of raising her children with love and education, her maternal instincts shine through in her teaching. Dr. Papić is dedicated to assisting young people from rural areas in overcoming stigma and shame, and her nurturing disposition has become synonymous with her teaching philosophy.

Mr. Grabovac Milena, born on August 26, 1981, in Banja Luka, holds a Master's degree in Economic Sciences and has actively engaged in addressing economic crime and corruption cases for the District Public Prosecutor's Offices since 2016. Prior to this, she accumulated significant experience in the corporate sector, working in medium and large enterprises from 2004 to 2016. As a single mother, she confronts various societal challenges daily in her work, making her acutely aware of the negative influences prevalent in our society. Milena's dedication is fueled by her personal experiences, particularly in her role as a mother who took on the responsibilities and obligations for a child separated from their biological mother. She has observed specific challenges young girls, especially those involved in sports, face regarding their menstrual cycles.

Our collective experiences uniquely position us to comprehend the multifaceted challenges young women encounter. Our commitment and empathy toward these individuals make us a well-suited team for executing the project. Our journey serves as a source of inspiration, highlighting the immense potential achievable through collective efforts. "THREE STRENGTHS, ONE GOAL" aptly encapsulates our unwavering commitment to health, education, science, and the integration of new technologies. We acknowledge the importance of enlisting experts in gynecology and psychology for this initiative, and we have assembled a dedicated team of women who specialize in addressing these specific issues within the project.

The total number of patients is 100 and the total number of the young who will be provided education in terms of sexual health is estimated to several thousands.

Our approach, while not reliant on cutting-edge technologies, introduces innovation through a distinctive blend of resources, expertise, and methodologies. In a country like Bosnia and Herzegovina, where opportunities for advanced technological applications are often constrained, innovation becomes even more pivotal.

Instead of depending on state-of-the-art technological tools, we prioritize accessibility and tailor the delivery of information and services to individual needs. What sets our approach apart as particularly innovative is our adaptability. We recognize the specific challenges faced in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where avenues for advanced technological applications are not always readily available. Instead, we leverage bespoke educational materials, interactive workshops, and a human-centered approach.

Our strategy encompasses active collaboration with local communities and partners, fostering a broader positive connection within the realm of reproductive health for young girls. Our initiative not only addresses specific challenges but also forges enduring bonds between organizations and communities. Ultimately, even without a reliance on emerging technologies, the ingenuity of our approach lies in our capacity to adapt and engage with the community, thereby contributing to the establishment of a more sustainable framework for the reproductive health of young girls in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Impact Goals for Next Year:

Enhance Reproductive Health Understanding Among Young Women:

We aim to elevate awareness regarding the significance of reproductive health among young women by distributing educational materials, conducting workshops, and providing online resources. Our target is to reach a minimum of 1,000 young women in the coming year.

Alleviate Social Stigma Surrounding Reproductive Health Issues:

Our objective is to diminish stigmatization and biases associated with young women's reproductive health through public campaigns, expert counseling, and fostering open communication. We anticipate a 30% reduction in stigma within the next year.

Facilitate Access to Initial Gynecological Examinations:

We aspire to offer initial gynecological examinations for at least 100 young women in the upcoming six months. This pivotal step will empower them to safeguard their reproductive health.

Promote Reproductive Health Awareness:

Through the dissemination of educational materials and the facilitation of workshops, we endeavor to educate a minimum of 500 young women on the importance of reproductive health in the next six months.

Impact Goals for the Next Five Years:

Expand Access to High-Quality Health Services:

We are committed to furthering the connectivity between end users (young girls and women) and providers of gynecological services. Our long-term objective is to develop a sustainable solution to this issue in BiH.

Enhance Emotional and Psychological Support:

We aim to offer professional support to young women by enlarging our team of counselors and therapists.

Strategies for Goal Attainment:

• Streamlined Organization of Gynecological Examinations:

We will optimize the examination process to facilitate a greater number of examinations within a limited timeframe.

• Intensive Promotion and Education:

Emphasis will be placed on intensive promotion and education through online platforms and local communities to maximize the utilization of available resources.

• Impact Measurement and Analysis:

We will consistently monitor and analyze view counts and workshop participation to ensure the realization of our established objectives. Despite the constraints of time and resources, we firmly believe that these goals will bring about a substantial positive impact on the reproductive health of young women within our community.

Activities to Achieve Goals

Educational Workshops on Reproductive Health

Objective: Increase awareness of reproductive health.

Measurable Result: Number of participants in educational workshops.

Indicators: Percentage of participants who expressed increased awareness of reproductive health after the workshop.

Distribution of Brochures on Reproductive Health

Objective: Provide education on the importance of reproductive health.

Measurable Result: Number of distributed brochures.

Indicators: Number of feedback indicating increased awareness of reproductive health after brochure distribution.

Web Platform for Asking Questions and Providing Answers

Objective: Provide anonymous support and information on reproductive health.

Measurable Result: Number of questions and answers on the web platform.

Indicators: Number of questions receiving high-quality and accurate answers.

Free Gynecological Examinations

Objective: Enable access to quality health services.

Measurable Result: Number of conducted gynecological examinations.

Indicators: Percentage of participants who visited a gynecologist for the first time after the project.

Survey on Increased Awareness

Objective: Measure the increase in awareness of young women about reproductive health.

Measurable Result: Survey results on increased awareness.

Indicators: Percentage of participants who expressed increased awareness of reproductive health after participating in the survey.

Analysis of Stigma Reduction

Objective: Assess the reduction of stigma around reproductive health topics.

Measurable Result: Feedback on stigma reduction.

Indicators: Qualitative analysis of feedback indicating reduction of stigma around reproductive health topics.

Monitoring of Regular Gynecological Examinations

Objective: Encourage regular gynecological check-ups.

Measurable Result: Frequency of visits for gynecological examinations.

Indicators: Percentage of participants who attended regular gynecological check-ups before and after the project.

Providing Psychological and Emotional Support

Objective: Ensure emotional support for young women.

Measurable Result: Number of individuals seeking support.

Indicators: Number of individuals expressing increased satisfaction and a sense of security after discussions with psychologists and reproductive health experts.

The Association employs one full-timer  and our plan is to employ two more part-timers. Depending on our solutions and projects, we regularly employ dozens of experts in different fields as consultants and part-timers. We also regularly engage dozens of volunteers.

As this is a new solutions we are making pioneer steps in an attempt to make it sustainable and help improve and raise awareness and education on mental and reproductive health.

As we focus on the reproductive health of young girls and women, our focus is on them. However, our solution is open to all genders. Apart from gender diversity, our objective is to include all social categories of the population, regardless of their level of education, income, family status, marital status, or any other criterion which might be relevant. We do not plan to make any type of segregation as our goal is to make education and health insurance in terms of reproductive health available to all the people who might need it.   

Our organization delivers significant value to the community by providing essential resources and support to enhance the reproductive health of young women. We offer a comprehensive range of educational programs, expert advice, and access to high-quality healthcare services. Here is how our project provides value to the community:

Educational Workshops on Reproductive Health:

How We Provide Value: Through comprehensive education, we increase young women's understanding of their reproductive health. Educational workshops provide specific knowledge about crucial aspects of reproductive health.

Why It Matters: Young women need this knowledge to make informed decisions about their reproductive health, ensuring long-term well-being.

Distribution of Brochures on Reproductive Health:

How We Provide Value: We provide informative brochures that raise awareness about the importance of reproductive health among young people.

Why It Matters: Brochures are a crucial tool for educating and ensuring access to relevant information that can impact reproductive health.

Web Platform for Asking Questions and Providing Answers:

How We Provide Value: We offer a safe environment where young women can ask questions and receive expert answers about reproductive health.

Why It Matters: Anonymity and expertise ensure that young women receive quality information and advice on sensitive issues.

Free Gynecological Examinations:

How We Provide Value: We enable access to high-quality healthcare services, including gynecological examinations.

Why It Matters: Providing free examinations ensures that young women receive essential healthcare, often for the first time, which is crucial for long-term well-being.

Survey on Increased Awareness:

How We Provide Value: We measure the increase in awareness of young women about reproductive health through conducting surveys.

Why It Matters: Surveys help understand the impact of our programs and identify areas for improvement, ensuring adaptation to real needs.

Analysis of Stigma Reduction:

How We Provide Value: We conduct an analysis to assess the reduction of stigma around topics related to reproductive health.

Why It Matters: Reducing stigma ensures that young women can openly discuss and seek help regarding reproductive health.

All of these activities collectively contribute to the improved health of young women in the community, empowering them to make informed decisions and ensuring long-term reproductive health well-being.

We hope to make this solution sustainable through the following activities:

Donations and Grants:

We will continue actively seeking donations and grants from organizations, foundations, and institutions that support initiatives related to reproductive health. We will focus on organizations that share our vision and mission.

Collaborations with Local Healthcare Institutions:

We will explore opportunities for collaboration with local healthcare institutions to provide specialized services or programs within their existing initiatives. This collaboration may involve joint funding or providing space for activities.

Corporate Partnerships:

We will investigate opportunities to collaborate with private companies that share our goals in the field of reproductive health. This may include sponsorships, joint events, or campaigns.

Online Advice Platform:

We will consider the possibility of charging for access to specific, high-quality advice through our online platform.

In the long term, we expect these revenue streams to cover the projected expenses and ensure the sustainability of the project. It is important to note that we will carefully evaluate each initiative to ensure it aligns with our mission and values, and contributes to the improvement of young women's reproductive health.

In addition to the strategies mentioned, several other possibilities for sustainable project funding include:

Digital Crowdfunding Campaign:

Creating a campaign on crowdfunding platforms to attract support from the wider community that shares our vision.

Volunteer Programs:

Developing volunteer programs in which the local community can participate, simultaneously contributing to project funding.

Creative Crowdsourcing Initiatives:

Launching challenges and initiatives for the community or creative community to raise funds and increase awareness about our activities.

Each of these strategies can contribute to diversifying revenue sources and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the project.