Equity Advocate

The problem Equity Advocate seeks to address is the lack of access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) information, commodities, and services, with a specific focus on addressing gender-based barriers that disproportionately affect young women and girls. This issue is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where socio-cultural norms, stigma, and economic disparities further exacerbate the challenges faced by young people in accessing SRHR care.

Globally, it is estimated that 214 million women of reproductive age in developing regions want to avoid pregnancy but are not using a modern contraceptive method. This unmet need for contraception is highest among young women aged 15-24. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted health services, including SRHR services, and has increased gender-based violence, further hindering access to SRHR for young women and girls.

In Tanzania, a country with a population of over 60 million, 77% of which are under the age of 35, the lack of access to SRHR services is a significant issue. The country has a high adolescent pregnancy rate, with 27% of girls aged 15-19 years having begun childbearing. This is linked to a lack of comprehensive sexuality education, as well as barriers to accessing contraception and other SRHR services. Additionally, harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation are still prevalent in some regions of Tanzania, further violating the SRHR of young women and girls.

Factors contributing to this problem include:

1. Inadequate legal and policy frameworks that do not adequately protect the SRHR of young people, especially young women and girls.
2. Socio-cultural norms and stigma that discourage young people, particularly young women and girls, from seeking SRHR care.
3. Lack of access to comprehensive sexuality education, which is essential for young people to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health.
4. Economic disparities that make it difficult for young people to afford SRHR commodities and services.
5. Limited healthcare infrastructure and lack of trained healthcare providers, particularly in rural areas.

Equity Advocate aims to address these factors by advocating for legal and policy changes that will improve SRHR for young people and by providing legal support and advocacy for young people who have experienced violations of their SRHR. By working at the intersection of legal advocacy and SRHR, we seek to create an enabling environment that empowers young people, particularly young women and girls, to realize their right to the highest attainable standard of health.

Equity Advocate is a program that combines legal advocacy with SRHR support to address gender-based barriers and improve access to sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people. Our solution encompasses three core components:

1. Legal Advocacy and Policy Change:

   • We work with local and national governments to advocate for policy changes that will improve SRHR for young people.
   • We actively engage in legal reform initiatives, pushing for the introduction of laws and policies that address gender-based barriers to SRHR access.
   • We collaborate with other organizations and stakeholders to create a united front in our advocacy efforts.

2. Legal Support and Representation:

   • We provide legal support and representation to young people who have experienced violations of their SRHR.
   • Our team of lawyers and legal experts work closely with victims to build strong cases and seek justice through the legal system.
   • We also offer counseling and support services to help young people cope with the trauma of SRHR violations.

3. Community Outreach and Education:

   • We conduct community outreach programs to educate young people about their SRHR and the legal frameworks in place to protect them.
   • Our educational programs are designed to empower young people with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for their own rights.
   • We also work to change societal norms and attitudes that contribute to gender-based barriers to SRHR access.

So far, we have successfully provided legal support and advocacy to 32 young girls and women who faced SRHR violations. Our team of legal experts worked diligently to ensure that their rights were protected and that they received the justice they deserved.

Our program is driven by a passion for social justice and a commitment to improving the lives of young people. By addressing the legal and policy barriers that hinder access to SRHR, we aim to create a world where all young people, regardless of their gender, can enjoy their sexual and reproductive rights to the fullest.

We believe that by providing legal support, advocating for policy change, and educating communities, we can break down the barriers that prevent young people from accessing SRHR services and empower them to take control of their sexual and reproductive health.

Equity Advocate serves young people, with a particular focus on young women and girls, who face gender-based barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services. These individuals are often underserved due to a combination of legal, social, and cultural factors that limit their access to necessary SRHR services and information.

Our target population is primarily young people aged 10 to 24, who are often excluded from decision-making processes and policies related to SRHR. This age group is particularly vulnerable to SRHR violations due to their lack of awareness and understanding of their rights, as well as the stigma and discrimination they may face when seeking SRHR services.

The solution will directly impact the lives of young people in the following ways:

1. Improved Access to Legal Support and Representation:

   • Young people who have experienced violations of their SRHR will have access to legal support and representation, ensuring that their rights are protected and that they receive justice.
   • This legal support will empower young people to stand up for their rights and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

2. Increased Awareness and Education:

   • Community outreach programs and educational initiatives will increase awareness of SRHR among young people, equipping them with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for their rights.
   • This increased awareness will also help to challenge and change societal norms and attitudes that contribute to gender-based barriers to SRHR access.

3. Policy Changes and Improved Legal Frameworks:

   • Advocacy efforts will lead to policy changes and improved legal frameworks that protect the SRHR of young people.
   • These changes will create an enabling environment where young people can access the services they need without fear of discrimination or stigma.

Our team at Equity Advocate is well-positioned to deliver this solution because we have firsthand experience with the challenges and barriers faced by young people, particularly young women and girls, in accessing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services.

Our Team Lead, Magreth, has personal experience with legal SRHR issues, having faced a legal sexual issue at an early age. This experience has given her a unique understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by young people in accessing SRHR services. It has also fueled her passion for advocating for the rights of young people and ensuring that they have access to the necessary legal support and representation.

In addition to Magreth's personal experience, our team is deeply rooted in the communities we serve. We have worked closely with young people in Tanzania and globally to understand their needs and challenges. We have engaged them in the design and implementation of our solution, ensuring that it is guided by their input, ideas, and agendas.

For example, we have conducted focus groups and surveys to gather feedback from young people on the challenges they face in accessing SRHR services. We have also worked with local organizations and community leaders to understand the specific barriers faced by young people in different regions. This input has informed the design of our program, ensuring that it is tailored to the specific needs of our target population.

We have established partnerships with local and global organizations that share our commitment to improving SRHR for young people. These partnerships have enabled us to leverage the expertise and resources of other organizations, amplifying the impact of our solution.

Our solution, Equity Advocate currently serves a growing community of young girls and women. Since our inception, we have provided direct legal support and advocacy to 32 young girls and women who have experienced violations of their SRHR. Beyond this direct legal assistance, our broader advocacy efforts have reached and potentially benefitted thousands more. 

Through our community outreach programs, workshops, and campaigns, approximately 2,000 individuals have been sensitized about their SRHR rights, available legal mechanisms, and the importance of gender-based barriers to access. 

In the digital realm, our online platforms, resources, and awareness campaigns have engaged over 10,000 users, amplifying our reach and impact. In total, our multifaceted approach means we currently serve an estimated 12,032 individuals, directly or indirectly, and we are determined to expand our reach further to ensure that every young person is aware of and can exercise their SRHR rights.

Our solution, Equity Advocate, is innovative in its holistic and gender-sensitive approach to legal advocacy in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people. By focusing specifically on addressing gender-based barriers to access, we are directly tackling the unique challenges faced by young girls and women in securing their SRHR.

One of the innovative aspects of our solution is our use of legal technology to enhance access to justice for young girls and women who have experienced violations of their SRHR. Our platform integrates an online legal aid system that provides free legal information, advice, and representation to those in need. This use of technology is crucial in reaching young people who may otherwise be unable to access legal support due to geographic, economic, or social barriers.

Our solution innovatively combines legal advocacy with community education and engagement. Our programs include workshops, seminars, and campaigns aimed at raising awareness of SRHR and the legal rights of young people. By empowering young people with knowledge and advocacy skills, we are equipping them to be active agents in protecting their rights and improving their SRHR outcomes.

Equity Advocate also challenges the traditional structures of legal support by providing a youth-friendly and accessible approach to legal services. Our team of legal professionals and advocates are specially trained to work with young people, ensuring that they receive the support they need in a way that is respectful and responsive to their unique needs.

By leveraging legal technology and combining it with community engagement and youth-friendly services, Equity Advocate is setting a new standard in the field of SRHR legal advocacy. Our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts by inspiring other organizations and stakeholders to adopt similar approaches. We envision a future where young people are not only aware of their SRHR but are also empowered to advocate for their rights and access the legal support they need to secure them. In this way, Equity Advocate aims to change the landscape of SRHR legal advocacy, making it more accessible, youth-friendly, and gender-sensitive.

Our impact goals for the next year include:

1. Expanding our legal advocacy and support programs to reach at least 100 young people in need, with a particular focus on young girls and women.
2. Launching a comprehensive online legal aid platform that provides free legal information, advice, and representation to young people.
3. Building partnerships with at least five other organizations working in the field of SRHR to enhance our reach and impact.
4. Conducting at least ten workshops, seminars, and campaigns aimed at raising awareness of SRHR and the legal rights of young people.

Our impact goals for the next five years include:

1. Expanding our legal advocacy and support programs to reach at least 12,000 young people, with a particular focus on young girls and women, across different regions.
2. Establishing a network of legal professionals and advocates trained to work with young people in securing their SRHR.
3. Advocating for legal and policy changes at the national and international levels to improve SRHR outcomes for young people.
4. Conducting research and producing knowledge products that contribute to the field of SRHR legal advocacy.
5. Building a global community of young people, legal professionals, and advocates working together to improve SRHR outcomes for young people.

To achieve these goals, we will:

1. Leverage our legal technology platform to enhance access to justice for young people, particularly young girls and women, who have experienced violations of their SRHR.
2. Foster partnerships and collaborations with other organizations, stakeholders, and communities to amplify our impact.
3. Engage young people in the design, implementation, and evaluation of our programs to ensure they are youth-friendly and responsive to their needs.
4. Invest in the capacity building of our team and network of legal professionals and advocates to ensure they are equipped to support young people in securing their SRHR.
5. Utilize data and evidence to inform our programs and advocacy efforts, and to demonstrate our impact to funders, partners, and other stakeholders.

Our solution aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Specifically, we are contributing to the targets and indicators related to ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls, ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, and reducing the global maternal mortality ratio. 

Through our work, we aim to create a world where young people, particularly young girls and women, can fully realize their SRHR and live healthy, empowered lives.

Our theory of change outlines the logical links between our activities, outputs, and outcomes to achieve our goal of improving Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people, particularly young girls and women, through gender-sensitive legal advocacy and support.

Activities:

1. Legal advocacy and support programs for young people who have experienced violations of their SRHR.
2. Launching an online legal aid platform providing free legal information, advice, and representation.
3. Building partnerships with organizations in the field of SRHR.
4. Conducting workshops, seminars, and campaigns to raise awareness of SRHR and legal rights.

Outputs:

1. Increased access to legal support and representation for young people.
2. Greater awareness and understanding of SRHR and legal rights among young people.
3. Strengthened partnerships and collaborations with other organizations working in the field of SRHR.
4. Development of a global community of young people, legal professionals, and advocates working together to improve SRHR outcomes.

Short-term Outcomes:

1. Improved knowledge and understanding of SRHR and legal rights among young people.
2. Enhanced access to legal support and representation for young people in need.
3. Increased collaboration and coordination among organizations working in the field of SRHR.

Long-term Outcomes:

1. Legal and policy changes at national and international levels to improve SRHR outcomes for young people.
2. Reduction in the incidence of SRHR violations among young people.
3. Improved SRHR outcomes for young people, particularly young girls and women.
4. Creation of a supportive ecosystem that empowers young people to fully realize their SRHR.

Evidence to Support Links:

• Our past experience of helping 32 young girls and women with legal SRHR cases demonstrates the effectiveness of legal advocacy and support in improving SRHR outcomes.
• Third-party research shows that access to legal support and representation can significantly improve SRHR outcomes for young people.
• Feedback from our target population indicates a strong need for legal advocacy and support to address SRHR violations.

Our solution team consists of:

• Full-time staff:
  1. Magreth, Team Lead
  2. John, Legal Advisor
• Part-time staff:
  1. Susan, Administrative Assistant
• Contractors or other workers:
  1. Anna, Community Outreach Coordinator

We have been working on our solution since December 2022. Over the past 10 months, we have been focused on developing and refining our program to effectively advocate for legal and policy changes, as well as provide legal support and advocacy for young people who have experienced violations of their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Our team has worked diligently to understand the unique challenges faced by young people, particularly girls and women, in accessing SRHR services, and we are committed to breaking down these barriers through our innovative approach.

At Equity Advocate, we are committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work. Our approach is rooted in the understanding that diverse perspectives and experiences enrich our program and enhance our ability to serve young people effectively.

Diversity: Our team is composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds, and we strive to create a culture that is inclusive and respectful of all identities and experiences. We recognize that different perspectives bring valuable insights, and we actively seek to incorporate these into our work.

Equity: Our program is designed to address the unique barriers faced by young people in accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services, with a particular focus on gender-based barriers. We work to create equitable access to legal support and advocacy for all young people, regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

Inclusion: Inclusion is a core value at Equity Advocate. We strive to create an environment where all team members feel valued, respected, and supported. We also actively engage with the communities we serve to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are addressed in our program design and implementation.

Our goal is to continue to enhance our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable program that effectively meets the needs of the young people we serve. We are committed to ongoing learning and reflection to ensure that we are living up to our values and effectively addressing the unique challenges faced by our target population.

Our business model at Equity Advocate is designed to provide value to young people, particularly young girls and women, by addressing the legal barriers that hinder their access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services. We offer a range of services and products to our target population and other stakeholders:

1. Legal Advocacy and Support: We provide free legal information, advice, and representation to young people who have experienced violations of their SRHR. This includes legal consultations, assistance with filing complaints, and representation in legal proceedings when necessary.

2. Community Engagement: We conduct workshops, seminars, and campaigns to raise awareness of SRHR and the legal rights of young people. These educational programs empower young people with knowledge and advocacy skills.

3. Online Legal Aid Platform: We are in the process of launching an online platform that will provide easy access to legal information and resources related to SRHR. This platform will be a valuable resource for young people seeking legal guidance.

4. Partnerships and Collaboration: We work collaboratively with other organizations and stakeholders in the field of SRHR to amplify our impact. By building strong partnerships, we can reach more young people and advocate for systemic changes at local, national, and international levels.

Our key customers and beneficiaries are:

• Young people (aged 18-35), particularly young girls and women, who are seeking legal support and advocacy to address SRHR violations.
• Community organizations, healthcare providers, and educational institutions that are interested in partnering with us to promote SRHR and gender-sensitive legal advocacy.
• Policy makers and government agencies at the local, national, and international levels, who can benefit from our research and advocacy efforts to inform policy changes.

We provide these products and services through a combination of in-person and online interactions. Our legal advocacy services are typically offered through direct consultation with young people, either in person or through online communication channels. Our community engagement activities are conducted through workshops, seminars, and awareness campaigns, which can be both in-person and virtual. The online legal aid platform will be a centralized resource accessible to young people, offering legal information and guidance at their convenience.

Young people want and need our services because they face significant barriers to accessing SRHR information and services, and many experience violations of their SRHR rights. Our legal advocacy and support help them navigate these challenges, protect their rights, and improve their SRHR outcomes. Additionally, our community engagement programs empower young people with knowledge and skills to advocate for their own SRHR rights and engage in their communities.

While our primary focus is on social impact, we also explore revenue-generating opportunities through partnerships, grants, and donations to ensure the sustainability and scalability of our programs. These revenue streams allow us to continue providing free legal advocacy and support to young people while expanding our reach and impact.

Our plan for achieving financial sustainability at Equity Advocate involves a combination of revenue streams, strategic partnerships, and fundraising efforts. We are committed to ensuring that our revenue sources align with our mission and values while allowing us to provide free legal advocacy and support to young people, particularly young girls and women. Our financial sustainability plan includes:

1. Grants and Donations: We actively seek grants and donations from philanthropic organizations, foundations, and individuals who are aligned with our mission. These funds will be used to cover program expenses, expand our reach, and develop new initiatives. We have a dedicated fundraising team responsible for identifying and securing funding opportunities.

2. Fee-for-Service Contracts: While our core advocacy services are provided free of charge to young people, we explore fee-for-service contracts with organizations, institutions, and government agencies that require our expertise in the field of SRHR and gender-sensitive legal advocacy. These contracts can help generate revenue to support our programs.

3. Online Legal Aid Platform: Our forthcoming online legal aid platform will be designed to generate revenue through subscription models, advertising partnerships, and premium content offerings. This platform will serve as a valuable resource for individuals seeking legal information and support related to SRHR.

4. Strategic Partnerships: We actively pursue partnerships with organizations and stakeholders in the SRHR and gender equality space. Collaborative projects and initiatives can provide funding opportunities and expand our reach. We are open to partnerships with government agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and nonprofits that share our mission.

5. Social Enterprise Ventures: We explore opportunities to develop social enterprise ventures that align with our mission and generate revenue. These ventures may include the creation of products or services that contribute to SRHR awareness and advocacy.

6. Fundraising Events: We organize fundraising events, campaigns, and initiatives to engage the community and raise awareness about SRHR issues. These events not only generate funds but also serve as platforms to amplify our mission.

7. Impact Investment: We are open to exploring impact investment opportunities from individuals or organizations that are aligned with our values and mission. These investments can provide capital for program expansion and innovation.

8. Diversified Income Streams: By diversifying our income streams, we aim to ensure that our financial sustainability is not reliant on a single source. This approach provides stability and flexibility in managing our operations.

Our financial sustainability plan is designed to cover our expected expenses while allowing us to expand our impact and reach more young people. We recognize that a multifaceted approach is essential to secure the resources needed to achieve our mission. Our commitment to transparency and accountability in financial management is paramount as we work towards long-term sustainability.