SHARP Project in Kenya

Solutions for Supporting Healthy Adolescents and Rights Protection(SHARP)seeks to improve Adolescents SRH at National level & Isiolo, Marsabit, Mandera counties

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Changing harmful norms requires requires trusted community voices willing to engage, listen and lead.
SHARP deliberately brought together religious leaders, community influencers, youth,CSOs and government to create shared responsibility for advancing adolescent health & rights.

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Through SHARP, AtMP developed a support supervision tool for assessing the readiness and quality of adolescent-friendly health services. The tool was adopted by CHMT, helping embed adolescent-responsive service monitoring within routine county #healthsystems beyond the project.

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

This International Youth Day, we reflect on a lesson that continues to shape our work with young people: where a young person lives may influence the challenges they face, but it does not change what they aspire to.
Through the #SHARP Project, implemented in Isiolo, Mandera and Marsabit, we saw the importance of understanding young people within the realities of their own communities.
The distances they travel.
The services available or unavailable to them.
The information they can access.
The social and economic barriers they navigate.
And the opportunities they have to make their voices heard.
Yet across these different contexts, young people share common aspirations: to be healthy, informed, safe, respected and able to shape decisions about their lives and futures.
As we mark #YouthDay 2026 under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” we are reminded that meaningful youth engagement goes beyond speaking about young people. It means listening to them, investing in solutions that respond to their realities, and creating spaces where their voices influence decisions.
@EUinKenya @Mybody_Ke @TrustHope137641 @HAImedicines @rhnkorg @Zamara_fdn @ReproRightsAFR @AYARHEP_KENYA @ProjectSHARP @Macsa2025

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

“A functional GBV rescue centre should have clear protocols and SOPs that guide how a survivor is received, supported, referred and safely exits the facility. For child survivors, safeguarding must be paramount. Access to a survivor cannot be left to informal arrangements or allow anyone to simply walk in and take a child survivor without proper verification, documentation and protection procedures.” — Dorothy Okemo, Access to Medicines Platform (AtMP)
This statement was made during a media interview at the High-Level GBV Accountability Meeting in Vihiga County, where stakeholders examined gaps in the county’s GBV prevention and response systems.
The discussion highlighted the need for operational and functional survivor support centres, with adequate security, clear SOPs and strong safeguarding mechanisms, particularly for child survivors.
The meeting also raised concerns about delays in forensic investigations and evidence processing, which can contribute to delays in advancing GBV cases and accessing justice.
🎥 Watch the full clip to hear our C.E.O @dorojuma1 speak on the gaps and what needs to change.
@InVihiga @UrgentAct @VihigaCountyGov @GBVnet @NGECKenya @StateHouseKenya @UN_Women
#GBVAccountability #VihigaCounty #AccessToJusticGBV

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Access to Medicines Platform (AtMP), in collaboration with the County Government of Vihiga through the Department of Gender, convened a High-Level County Leadership Accountability Forum on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide to accelerate county implementation of the recommendations of the Presidential-appointed Technical Working Group (TWG) on GBV and femicide.
The forum brought together County Executive leadership,national police service, technical departments, media and CSOs to review Vihiga's GBV situation, deliberate on the findings of the Presidential TWG Report, and consider priority actions identified through a recent multi-stakeholder accountability engagement.
A key outcome of the meeting was the commitment by county leadership to strengthen financing, coordination, and accountability for GBV prevention and response. Among the commitments made were:
1⃣The establishment of a dedicated County GBV Trust Fund
2⃣Full operationalization of the County GBV Rescue Centre through staffing and management structures 3⃣Strengthening of forensic capacity by leveraging existing laboratory infrastructure
4⃣Improved availability of essential GBV response commodities including PEP and Hepatitis B vaccines 5⃣Rollout of a county Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) to fast-track implementation of priority interventions. AtMP will continue working alongside the County Government and partners to ensure these commitments are translated into tangible improvements in GBV prevention, survivor-centred care, access to justice and accountability for women and girls across Vihiga County.
@UrgentAct

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

🗓️July Recap 🗓️
As July comes to a close, we are reflecting on the conversations shaping the future of healthcare in Kenya and across Africa. This month, Access to Medicines Platform had the opportunity to contribute to three important national and continental conversations:
🤖 Building the future with Artificial Intelligence – exploring how AI can strengthen health equity analysis, improve commodity tracking, and support evidence-informed advocacy.
🤱 Strengthening #RMNCAH commodity security – joining partners to advance dialogue on sustainable financing and coordinated action to ensure life-saving reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health commodities reach those who need them most.
🌍 Supporting the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Rapid Result Initiative – aligning efforts across 20 counties to strengthen commodity security, quality of care, respectful maternity care and #accountability.
Although these engagements addressed different themes, they reinforced one shared lesson: Stronger health systems are built through innovation, collaboration, evidence and accountability.
As we step into August, we remain committed to translating these conversations into action that improves access to quality healthcare for women, newborns, adolescents, and communities across Kenya.
Thank you to our partners, county governments, civil society, communities and @MoH_DRMH for being part of this journey.
#EWENE

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Our RMNCAH Budget Trend Analysis reveals the important role that Facility Improvement Funds (FiF) play in strengthening health service delivery across counties. While Marsabit and Mandera demonstrate the potential of FiF as a significant source of facility revenue, lower utilization in Isiolo highlights opportunities to strengthen implementation and maximize impact.
Allowing facilities to retain and reinvest FiF into essential RMNCAH commodities and medical supplies can improve commodity availability and strengthen service delivery.
Explore more findings in our RMNCAH Budget Trend Analysis report: https://t.co/B5QnB7xWXW

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Through the SHARP Project, we witnessed how evidence-based advocacy and sustained engagement can contribute to tangible health system improvements, from strengthening accountability mechanisms to influencing investments that improve access to maternal and adolescent health services.
Real change happens when communities have a voice and decision-makers respond.
📖 Explore our SHARP Project Success Booklet: https://t.co/4GYtZdUZkR

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Many survivors of #sexual violence never receive life-saving care within the critical 72-hour window, the period during which emergency contraception, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and forensic evidence collection are most effective.
Delays in reporting can have lifelong health and justice consequences.
Strengthening referral systems, survivor awareness, and coordinated response mechanisms can help ensure survivors receive timely care and support.
#EndGBV #EndFemicide #SGBV

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Strong health systems are the foundation of quality healthcare. They ensure that essential medicines and health commodities are available, healthcare workers are adequately supported, and communities can access timely, respectful, and life-saving services.
Through the SHARP Project, Access to Medicines Platform (AtMP) worked alongside the Isiolo County Department of Health, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen accountability and advocate for improved maternal and adolescent health services.
Within just six months of project implementation, these collective advocacy efforts contributed to significant health system gains. The County Government recruited 230 additional nurses, procured three ambulances to strengthen emergency referral services, and institutionalized quarterly RMNCAH review meetings to enhance data-driven decision-making and accountability.
These achievements demonstrate that sustained advocacy can translate into tangible health system improvements. Read our SHARP Project Success Booklet to explore the advocacy wins, lessons learned, and approaches that helped drive change across Isiolo, Marsabit and Mandera counties: https://t.co/uWgb7KkLc6

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Access to Medicines Platform joined @MoH_DRMH and partners at the Every Woman Every Newborn Every Everywhere(EWENE) Implementation Committee Meeting to align a 6-month Rapid Result Initiative across 20 counties, focused on maternal, newborn & family planning commodity security, quality of care, and accountability for stronger health systems.
This prioritization by the government is timely, particularly in light of the rising maternal and neonatal mortalities in several high-burden counties, which threaten to reverse the gains made in reducing preventable deaths.
For AtMP, this initiative is especially significant because ensuring consistent availability of life-saving maternal, newborn, and family planning commodities is at the heart of our work. Through EWENE, we look forward to supporting county-level efforts to strengthen supply systems, improve data-driven accountability, enhance respectful maternity care, and ensure that women and newborns can access quality services when and where they need them most.
#EWENE #MaternalHealth

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Regular supervision is essential for maintaining quality standards, supporting healthcare workers, identifying service gaps, and ensuring adolescents receive safe, responsive #sexual and #reproductive health services.
As part of efforts to strengthen adolescent-friendly health services, Access to Medicines Platform (AtMP) played a key role in supporting the development of a supportive supervision tool that has since been adopted by Mandera and Isiolo Counties. The tool is helping county health teams standardize supervision, identify service delivery gaps, and strengthen accountability for adolescent and youth SRH services.
Strengthening routine monitoring and supportive supervision must be a priority if accreditation is to translate into real improvements in service delivery.
Discover more findings from our study report: https://t.co/Z6y4HpB7HG

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Access to Medicines Platform joined other partners at the Quarterly National RMNCAH Partners Meeting convened by the MoH-Division of RMNCAH. The discussions underscored that commodity security remains one of the biggest determinants of #maternal , #newborn, and #adolescent health outcomes and greatly impacted by commodity stockouts.
These discussions strongly resonate with findings from AtMP’s recent work on SRH commodity security and RMNCAH financing, which continue to demonstrate the close link between budget allocation, procurement systems, and access to life-saving services. We remain committed to supporting evidence-based dialogue, stronger coordination and advocacy for sustainable financing to ensure essential reproductive health commodities are available when and where they are needed most.

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

At Access to Medicines Platform, we have learnt that meaningful change is achieved through a continuous process, one that begins with evidence and continues through collaboration, planning, financing, accountability and implementation.
This is the approach that has guided our work in strengthening RMNCAH, advancing adolescent SRHR, improving access to essential medicines, supporting county health systems and promoting community-led accountability.
@HennetKenya @KakamegaHealth @MoH_DRMH @ruraltoglobal @EUinKenya @PlanKenya @NLinKenya @rhnkorg

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

The biggest mistake we make when improving maternal health is believing that better hospitals alone will solve the problem.
AtMP's @MeTAKenya2018 experience working across Kenya shows that maternal health outcomes are shaped by the strength of the entire health system,from financing and commodity security to accountability and community participation.
📖 Learn more from our 2025 Annual Report: https://t.co/qGAaoad6xJ
@gatesfoundation @WHOKenya @EUinKenya @alignmnh @HennetKenya @PMNCH @PATHtweets @Jhpiego @MarieStopesKe
#EvidenceMonday #AtMP4RMNCAH

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

📊 Why do health facilities continue to experience stockouts of life-saving SRH commodities? The answer isn't always poor supply chains. Sometimes, it starts with how counties plan, allocate and account for health budgets.
Our RMNCAH Budget Trend Analysis(FY 2022/2023-FY 2024-2025)for Isiolo, Marsabit and Mandera Counties found that:
⚠️ Low and volatile RMNCAH financing
⚠️ Weak budget transparency
⚠️ Heavy dependence on donor financing
⚠️ Underutilization of Facility Improvement Funds (FIF)
Together, these challenges contribute to commodity insecurity, prolonged stockouts and missed opportunities to improve maternal and adolescent health. In Isiolo County for example, our SRH Commodities study further highlights that:
❎Oxytocin was available in less than 40% of public health facilities
❎Magnesium sulphate availability declined despite being critical for preventing eclampsia-related maternal deaths
❎Public facilities experienced stockouts lasting up to eight months for essential SRH commodities.
📖 Read our RMNCAH Budget Trend Analysis and discover the policy actions needed to strengthen financing, commodity security and improve health outcomes. Evidence should drive action :https://t.co/B5QnB7xWXW

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

We are always honoured to share the work we have been doing under the Kenya Snakebite Project, particularly because it addresses a critical yet often overlooked public health challenge affecting communities across the country.
Earlier today, our the SB Kenya Coordinator, @dorojuma1 was featured in an interview by @tv47news , and we are encouraged by the growing interest from national media in amplifying conversations around snakebite prevention, access to timely care and increased investment to snakebite management programs.
Stay tuned for the upcoming feature as we continue to raise visibility on this important health issue and advocate for stronger action against snakebite.
Watch our snakebite documentary: https://t.co/h9Q6NqTMG6
#LeaveNoOneBehind
@wellcometrust @CSRIatLSTM @SnakePubs @MOH_Kenya @lincolnfdn_ @TheENDFund

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Ending Gender-Based Violence requires more than individual efforts. It requires coordinated systems where communities, duty bearers and institutions work together.
Through the RAPS4SRHR Programme, we supported the strengthening of multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms, including revitalization of sub-county Technical Working Groups that improved collaboration and GBV response pathways.
These lessons continue to guide our ongoing work through the Urgent Action Fund-supported initiative, where we are strengthening accountability, amplifying survivor-centred approaches and supporting more responsive GBV prevention and response systems.
🎥 Hear directly from Joyce as she shares how strengthened coordination structures are helping improve GBV prevention and response in Kakamega County: https://t.co/xCrdREkZnZ
@UrgentAct
#TestimonialTuesday #EndGBV #CommunityAccountability #SystemsChange

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

Health and social challenges are often felt first at the community level, from barriers to accessing services, gaps in quality of care, to challenges that prevent people from getting the support they need.
Through community accountability platforms including Haki Mashinani, town hall meetings and male engagement forums, in 2025, Access to Medicines Platform (AtMP) has supported communities to:
☑️Engage directly with duty bearers and decision-makers
☑️Identify barriers affecting access to health services
☑️Advocate for responsive, equitable, and people-centred solutions
☑️Strengthen accountability for health commitments
When communities participate, systems become stronger. 📖 Learn more about our community-led approaches and impact in the AtMP 2025 Annual Report: https://t.co/qKN2Xj0tbm
#SocialAccountability #CommunityEngagement

[Access to Medicines Platform(MeTA Kenya) @MeTAKenya2018]

On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we reflect on the interconnected drivers of #violence within our communities.
The National GBV Technical Working Group Report highlights substance abuse as one of the factors contributing to GBV and femicide, noting that alcohol and drug use can intensify aggression, household conflict, and vulnerability.
A community perspective from Vihiga County captured this reality:
"Whenever there is a disco matanga, we almost always see a spike in violence especially against women, girls, and even sodomy of young boys. These gatherings often turn into hotspots for sexual and physical abuse, fuelled by alcohol, drugs, and lack of supervision." — KII, Vihiga County
Preventing GBV therefore requires us to address the wider factors that increase vulnerability, including substance abuse, harmful social norms, weak accountability systems, and gaps in survivor support.
@UrgentAct @UN_Women