CHAMP Offers Safe Spaces For Youth and Parents to Talk About Gender Issues

“My name is Tyrell* and I am 21 years old. I aspire to be a youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocate and instructor as I think it is important to close the gap in youth SRHR information and access to services  in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Tyrell was one of the participants in the Collaborative HIV and AIDS Adolescent Mental Health Programme (CHAMP), implemented by the Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT). FPATT is an active partner in the Spotlight Initiative and has worked with vulnerable groups for more than sixty (60) years including young people. As a sexual and reproductive health and rights advocate, FPATT modified CHAMP to integrate education around gender-based violence (GBV) as a key issue addressed in the programme. As such the association is actively working to curtail GBV through education and awareness programmes.

Approximately 32% of the population of Trinidad and Tobago is under the age of 25 years (June 2014) and face unique challenges and risks that directly impact their physical, emotional, mental health and well-being. Issues include early sexual debut, high rates of unplanned adolescent pregnancies, adolescent parenting, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, unsafe abortions, navigating gender-relations and sexual violence. The impact of gender-based violence demonstrates that the role and effect on young people must be considered in the overall web of actors to address violence. As a result of these concerns that continue to prevail among youth in Trinidad and Tobago, FPATT was driven to implement primary prevention programmes. 

Tyrell enrolled in CHAMP through the advice of one of his peers. “My friend told me I could learn more about sexual and reproductive health and that the trainers would be open and honest…. It sounded like a good way for me to increase my knowledge on SRHR so I could share information with my peers,” he said.  Tyrell participated in the 12-week programme which primarily focused on community-based youth and adult caregivers. 

Developed by psychologists and experts in HIV and AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), GBV and Communication, FPATT’s CHAMP programme concentrates on influencing parenting to heighten youth awareness of cultural norms and values that negatively impact sexual choices. It encourages parents to reinforce risk prevention by coaching and supporting youth to apply specific skills to delay sex and handle relationship pressures by obtaining guidance, information and emotional support. 

Former Deputy Executive Director of FPATT, Sharon Mottley explained that the CHAMP curriculum was designed to cover difficult and sensitive topics.  “Under the HIV component, we covered gender-based violence because what we recognized is that there's an intersectionality between gender-based violence and HIV.” CHAMP also incorporates an inclusive approach with prioritization being placed on those from vulnerable groups including, inter-alia, persons living with disabilities, migrants and those from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI) community, to prevent and respond to family violence. “We also discussed gender and gender norms, values defining who I am, communication, sex and sexuality, relationships, power, and prevention. Topics that covered relationships and violence were conducted with a therapist present or we provided a direct hotline to psychosocial support as some topics could have triggering effects,” said Mottley.

Asked why the CHAMP initiative was important, Mottley said the programme aims to create a healthy generation of young people and helps them and parents navigate difficult or sensitive issues: “CHAMP provides a safe space for young people and parents to articulate and encourages familial empowerment. Empowerment starts from when you change the hearts and minds of people and when you give them the ability to make that change for themselves.”

As a participant, Tyrell said he thoroughly enjoyed the programme because of the participatory nature of the sessions. He said, “I liked how the trainers held nothing back and how they were able to break down gender norms and sexuality. I am inspired by the CHAMP programme and motivated to share information with my friends. I hope very soon I can be a facilitator of the programme to increase knowledge on SRHR and give back to my community”.

 *Name changed to protect privacy.