Terms of Reference (TOR) Community awareness raising ... - UNFPA

to improve infant and child survival through birth spacing by at least two–year intervals. UNFPA donated
to MoH modern contraceptives, which are distributed through the essential drug list to all public
institutions.
Maternal and child health indicators in Kosovo are considered to be one of the poorest in Europe and
provided statistical data are not reliable due to systematic under-reporting. Although the knowledge of
various contraceptive methods is high among all women in Kosovo (95.3%), the use of modern
contraception is low and decreasing, with only 15% of married women of reproductive age using a
modern contraception method; in 2003 it was 22.6 % of them. 1
Although reliable information on HIV and STIs prevalence is not available, it is estimated that the
incidence of HIV is still less than 1% of the population, and less than 5% among high-risk groups. The
knowledge on HIV is relatively high, but poor knowledge on transmission leads to stigmatization of
people living with HIV. The growing numbers of intravenous drug users, the discriminated MSM
community and sex workers, the changing social norms, the large mobile and migrating community and
the low awareness about HIV prevention methods, have led to an increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS
and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), which the weak and underfunded health sector might have
difficulties to address. 2
Domestic and gender-based violence are rarely discussed publicly and reported, although it is estimated
that these affect women at all ages, ethnicities, marital status and geographic areas. An exploratory
research on the Extent of Gender-Based Violence in Kosova estimated that the rate of domestic violence
was as high as 23% in 2008. The adoption of the new Law on Protection against Domestic Violence
(2010) and of Kosovo Program against Domestic Violence provides that the responsibility for addressing
DV being also transferred to municipalities where mechanisms for coordination remain week.
There is a lack of knowledge and awareness among communities and families about adequate home care
management, child physical and cognitive development and general reproductive health. Kosovo young
population lacks information on their rights or life skills such as unprotected sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco
and HIV/AIDS. Political and cultural barriers often prevent information and services from reaching young
men and women; there is a general reluctance in families, communities and schools to discuss
reproductive health and sexual behavior. Health education in the formal school system is poor and sexual
and reproductive health is not taught at all.
1.5 % of almost 1.8 million Kosovo population are formed by Kosovo Serbs, Turkish, Bosnian, Gorani,
Roma, Ashkali, Egyptians, and other communities. Knowledge of HIV is considerably low among these
minority communities. Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptian (RAE) belong to the most marginalized
communities in Kosovo. They live in extreme poverty with poor nutrition and limited access to health
services and health indicator among them are also considerably lower. Home deliveries with traditional
birth attendants are quite common among RAE communities.
1
Demographic, Social and Reproductive Health survey in Kosovo (2009), Statistical Agency of Kosovo
Demographic, Social and Reproductive Health survey in Kosovo (2003), Statistical Agency of Kosovo
2 Human Development Report ( 2010), UNDP