The Violet Project is Giving Young People Real Answers to Sexual Health Questions
The Violet Project is Giving Young People Real Answers to Sexual ... Baltimore Magazine
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The Violet Project: Empowering Youth Through Sexual and Reproductive Health Education
Providing accessible resources and information to young people
Introduction
Many young people lack access to accurate information about reproductive and sexual health. Recognizing this issue, Dr. Jenell Coleman, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, partnered with Saumya Sao, a clinical researcher at Hopkins, to create The Violet Project. Launched in October 2021, this online platform aims to provide young people with approachable answers to their questions and connect them with essential resources.
The Need for The Violet Project
Dr. Coleman’s experience working with young women in clinical settings revealed the prevalence of myths and misconceptions surrounding reproductive and sexual health. She recognized the importance of educating young people beyond their brief interactions in the exam room. This realization led to the development of The Violet Project, primarily targeting adolescent girls.
The Vision of The Violet Project
The Violet Project aims to provide a foundation of accurate knowledge about sexual and reproductive health to empower young people. By addressing preventable conditions and ailments that often occur during adolescence and young adulthood, the project seeks to promote overall well-being and informed decision-making.
The Role of Peer Education
The Violet Project recognizes the importance of engaging youth in the community and involving them in driving the direction of the website. With 90 peer educators aged 18-24, the project promotes peer-to-peer education, creating a space for open conversations and fostering a sense of empowerment among young people.
The Evolution of The Violet Project
The Violet Project has evolved to address the specific needs of the community. For example, addressing period poverty was born out of a clinical care encounter where Dr. Coleman realized the lack of access to sanitary supplies. The project continues to adapt and grow to meet the ever-changing needs of young people.
The Sustainable Future of The Violet Project
The Violet Project is not only sustainable but also scalable. Informed by clinical care and research, the project aims to disseminate knowledge and expand its reach beyond Maryland to other geographic locations. By making sexual and reproductive health care and education more accessible, The Violet Project contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 3.7: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
- Indicator for SDG 4.7: Proportion of schools with access to adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities.
- Indicator for SDG 5.6: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | Proportion of schools with access to adapted infrastructure and materials for students with disabilities. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. | Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care. |
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Source: baltimoremagazine.com
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