Key Elements of YRH Policy A simple framework for thinking about YRH policy is to organize policy into key elements. The key elements of YRH policy are those broad goals that are the aim of all YRH efforts. These include:
Each of these key elements encompasses a number of specific topics that are elaborated on in these fact sheets.
Dimensions of Policy
YRH policy does not reside in a single document or sector or necessarily at the national level or solely within the public sector. YRH policy encompasses a very broad range of documents and statements. Youth-policy.com classifies this diversity of policies according to the following dimensions:
- Level: international, national, subnational, and local
- Sector: health, education, labor, etc.
- Type: constitutional provisions, laws, national population policy, youth reproductive health policy, operational guidelines
- Authorship: governmental bodies, NGOs, professional associations, and private commercial entities
Find out more about these dimensions of YRH policy.
FAQs
Q. Isn't there quite a bit of overlap among the key elements?
Yes. For example, many of the same interventions work to both prevent unwanted pregnancy and prevent HIV/STI infection in young people. In fact, good policy should make clear the connection among the various elements of YRH. Read more about the inter-connectedness of these key elements.
Q. What are other ways to organize YRH policies?
Others have approached YRH policy from a different direction. For example, WHO's guide to policies on adolescent health and development delineates the following "key elements" of policy:
- Access to a range of information and health care services
- Building skills and opportunities for adolescents to maximize their development
- Building skills of health care workers, teachers and others who work with adolescents
- Collaborative partnerships
- Collection of data
- Safe and supportive environments
Seligman and others (1996) conceived of a framework for youth reproductive health policy that categorizes policies under three broad "essential requirements" to ensure the reproductive health of young people:
- access to quality services and information
- self esteem and the self confidence to use services
- life choices that influence motivation to use services
Q. Does youth-policy.com include broader youth policies?
The policy database does include some national youth policies and policies in education and other sectors, but only when they directly key elements of youth reproductive health such as pregnancy and HIV prevention. Other groups collect policies in related areas such as youth employment and education, for example the employment law database of the International Labor Organization and the youth policy database of the International Council for National Youth Policy.
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