The UNESCO supported O3 PLUS Project in partnership with Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) has made significant impact in building empowered university student community on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). The Project which seeks to ensure that young people in higher and tertiary education institutions (HTEIs) realize positive health, education, and gender equality outcomes, is running under the theme, “Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future Plus.”

Speaking on the project, the MSUAS Executive Dean of Students, Mr I Chaka said, “O3 Plus project aims at ensuring sustained reductions in new HIV infections, unintended pregnancy and sexual and gender-based violence. Sexual reproductive health education is integral to students as part of outside classroom learning education as we strive to build a resilient, empowered and responsible student community.”

“The objective of the project is to realize sustainable institutional strengthening, student health and well-being, create safe and inclusive campus environments and building evidence based programming and empowered knowledge sharing communities,” said Ms N Majekwana, the Project Coordinator.

Among the activities that the project has done are conducting capacity building   workshops for lecturers and peer educators, facilitating engaging and purposeful student orientation programme, conducting health and wellness expos, creating coordination platforms with other SRHR partners to identify gaps in SRHR services for young people in HTEIs and proffer possible collective solutions and opportunities in addressing issues affecting students.