March 8, 2019
Coaches Across Continents (CAC) and Pathfinder International have announced a unique partnership that uses purposeful play and outside the classroom education to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Their first project in Tanzania includes a “Purposeful Play Curriculum” that addresses four main components: Knowledge of sexual and reproductive rights; Household environment; Community responsibility; and Conservation. It also includes an Educational Hub for 20 key leaders in Zanzibar and local programs in selected Tanzanian communities.
Pathfinder is a global leader in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, and CAC is a world renowned sport for development organization and longtime Beyond Sport partner. The combined expertise of the two organizations will allow the program to provide resources and education specifically tailored towards teenage girls, boys and young families. The Trotula Fund - a nonprofit funder focused on women’s health - supports this collaboration which will be Pathfinder’s first project in Tanzania.
“Being able to couple sport, athletics, and sexual and reproductive health care to promote young people’s ability to choose their own future is a great opportunity,” Judy Kahrl of the Trotula Fund said. “We view this as the first step of many in this partnership.”
Pathfinder models its programs on the “Leave No One Behind” principle of universal health coverage, going where need is greatest and focusing on rural and vulnerable populations. This means implementing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through what they call a “panoramic view”—one that integrates community and health systems strengthening and makes linkages with sectors beyond health.
“The collective impact of our resources and experience in the fields of education, global health, sport and gender equity will see unique strategies in play to advance several UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Nora Dooley, ASK for Choice and Community and Government Partnerships Manager, Coaches Across Continents said. “We are thrilled to be at the center of this transformative program”
Coaches Across Continents have won several Beyond Sport Global Awards, most recently winning the 2018 Global Impact of the Year Award.