“It all started in June when we started brainstorming about a project. This opportunity not only deepened our understanding of the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) agenda but also enhance our abilities in project design and proposal writing, enabling us to seamlessly infuse our innovative concepts to address transformative goals on ending unmet family planning and combating gender-based violence”. Dechen Wangchuk, Y-PEER CNR

ICPD Dash: Race to three zeroes is an innovative program designed by the youth and for the youth.

The Programme Coordination Division (PCD) invited proposals from the 19 Y-PEER networks registered under Y-PEER Bhutan to design a youth-led initiative that is both innovative and in line with the ICPD commitments directed towards accelerating progress of the transformative zeroes in Bhutan, primarily contributing to achieving zero unmet need for family planning and zero tolerance for gender-based violence and harmful practices.

The top nine participating networks that took part in the initiative were invited to Thimphu to showcase their proposals. 27 Y-PEER members from nine colleges attended two-day workshop from 17-18th August, to showcase their proposals and at the same time to build their capacities to enable them to be the digital advocates on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for adolescents and youth.

The participants were updated on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, introduced to important topics like social norms and harmful practices, technology facilitated gender-based violence and digital advocacy and campaign including practical sessions to equip them with skills for effective digital advocacy and campaign. The participants came up with innovative idea, which could be consider for this year 16 days of activism. commendable

Each of the nine Y-PEER network showcased their proposals and, among them, the four winners: Sherubtse College, Paro College of Education, Jigme Singye Wangchuck Law School and College of Science and Technology, received a commendable prize of Nu. 40,000 each to implement their project. The award was presented by Mr. Phuntsho Wangyel, the Head of UNFPA Bhutan who extended his congratulations to all Y-PEER networks for their dedicated efforts and active participation in the program. Other Y-PEER networks who were involved in the program includes: Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Gedu College of Business Studies, Jigme Namgyel Engineering College and Royal Thimphu College. 

The program was organized by Program Coordination Divison, MoESD in collaboration with UNFPA Country office Bhutan.

Y-PEER Bhutan established in 2012 under the erstwhile Department of Youth and Sports (DYS) has played a formative role in the lives of young people focusing on sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The Y-PEER Bhutan Networks is a success story that can be celebrated as it is the biggest youth led network in the country and in Asia-Pacific Region, pioneered by UNFPA. Y-PEER comprises a network of over 19 colleges and Technical and Vocational Training Education (TVTE), and encompasses thousands of young people, working in the broad areas of adolescent sexual and reproductive health.