About Rutgers

Rutgers is an independent expertise centre with focus on sexuality, reproductive health and rights (SRHR). To improve sexual health and well-being in the Netherlands & internationally. Focus on vulnerable groups, supporting professionals, public awareness campaigns, policy advice and international SRHR programmes. 

Work areas:  

  • Research 
  • Advocacy 
  • Training 
  • Information-provision & practice 

Mission: Sexual freedom for everyone. ‘to be free to enjoy our sexuality and relationships, adds to our happiness in life’ 

Collaborations with GHH-partners

Overview of Characteristics

Active in countries 

  • Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Nepal, Morocco, Tunisia, Uganda: Right Here, Right Now project. Empowering young people to make (healthy) decisions about their sexuality and claim their rights. Advocacy, digital partnerships, inclusive human-rights-based-politics.  
  • Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote D’iVoire, Togo: Ado Avance Ensemble project. Adolescents (10-19 y/o) – enabling them to exercise SRHR, including contraception & safe abortion.  Using peer-educators, training service providers, digital platforms (chatbots, influencers). 
  • Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Togo (among others): She makes her Safe Choice project. Reduce unsafe abortions & maternal deaths by improving access to contraception and safe abortion methods, correct information & quality health services.

Community of Practice (CoP):

  • CoP1: strengthening Health Services 

Themes and subthemes within CoP:

SRHR in focusing on access, capacity building and quality health care. Within CoP1:  

  • Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): developing implementing and evaluating CSE programmes (Right Here, Right now) 
  • Access to quality SRHR services: She makes her safe choice, Ado Avance Ensemble focus on strengthening primary health care and sexual health services.  
  • Capacity building for healthcare and social-service providers: training medical & non-medical professionals on SRHR topics, gender sensitivity 
  • Community-based health system strengthening & outreach: supporting outreach & health-promoting interventions, through local partnerships 
  • Advocacy & policy strengthening for SRHR integration: urging governments & ministries of health to mainstream SRHR in national health policies & ensuring rights-based healthcare delivery 
  • Gender Equality and prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV): integrating SGBV in SRHR programmes and research on gender-based violence through technology.  
  • Evidence-based health system development & monitoring: Research & monitoring to inform programme design & national policy.  

Organization type:

NGO 

Available resources:  

  • Knowledge & expertise: 50+ years of expertise in youth sexuality & SRHR. Conducting quantitative & qualitative research.  
  • Network: acting as a hub connecting professionals in youth care, education, public health and NGO’s in Netherlands.  
  • Influence/advocacy capacity: providing policy advice, public campaigning, influencing decision-making. -> translating research into policy. 
  • Training & capacity building: training, workshops, online courses & intervision for professionals working with vulnerable groups 
  • International programme implementation experience: see ‘active in countries’ 
  • Research capability: translating scientific research into practice 

Contact information Rutgers

Website: Rutgers – Seksuele gezondheid en rechten voor iedereen