Launching a new SRHR Peer Educator Pocket Guide

We know that it is crucial to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. Launching on International Youth Day, 12 August, we are marking this pivotal step in advancing SRHR programming and supporting peer educators to create lasting impact in their communities.

Addressing the needs of peer educators 

the SRHR PEER EDUCATOR REFERENCE guide  is a user-centred resource, tailored to meet the needs of peer educators working in the SRHR sector. The Guide acts as a pocket-sized companion, offering concise and accessible information that peer educators can refer to during their interactions with young people.  

The need for a portable and practical resource was identified by peer educators in the SRHR Umbrella programme. As part of the programme, peer educators received initial training, supported and mentored by implementing partners, and expressed the need for a guide they could carry with them on a day-to-day basis.  

Jovitah, a Peer Educator from CEDO (Child Rights Empowerment and Development Organisation) told us:

I have been trying to get information from the internet, however it has sometimes been very confusing and complex to understand. This Peer Educator Reference Guide is very simplified and has made it easy for me to understand concepts that seemed complicated.

Getting accurate and accessible health information to young people  

With its compact size, peer educators can carry the guide with them, and access relevant information whenever and wherever needed. The content is well-organised and accessible, using graphics and illustrations to improve communication. For example, when faced with enquiries about contraception methods or STI prevention, peer educators can refer to the guide and deliver accurate and up-to-date information. 

The Guide also responds to the requirements set out by the national sexuality education framework, so peer educators can feel confident with providing age-appropriate information. The standardisation of information shared by peer educators will also help reduce misinformation. 

To ensure the effective dissemination of the Guide, physical copies are being distributed to peer educators in Uganda. Additionally, a digital version is shared with health workers and peer educators through various channels, including WhatsApp groups, expanding the reach and accessibility of the guide.  

Building on learnings from the SRHR Umbrella programme 

The development of the Guide was informed by seven years of valuable learnings from the SRHR Umbrella programme. A technical working group guided the process, comprising of peer educators, partner organisations, and health workers. This ensured the Guide’s content remained relevant and aligned with programme objectives. By including topics such as mental health, the Guide aims to support young people holistically, reflecting the evolving needs identified throughout the programme.

In-country Programme Manager, Isaac Gulemye from Alive Medical Services, spoke to us about how the Guide was developed:

This Guide is very handy, with information presented in a simple and captivating way. Other training manuals are too bulky and complicated. The intended users were involved in the development process so we are confident that the Guide will greatly ease and improve the health education role of peer educators, way beyond the SRHR Umbrella programme. 

Envisioning impact 

The SRHR Peer Educator Guide will serve as a vital resource for peer educators, instilling confidence and improving their daily work, beyond the SRHR Umbrella programme. The hope is that the Guide will support similar work happening across Uganda, giving health facilities and other organisations the confidence to integrate peer educators within their own structures. 

Check out the SRHR PEER EDUCATOR REFERENCE guide here