Beneficiairies

Children and young people
Children and young people are one of the most important target groups of WPF interventions.
Currently, the largest generation of adolescents in history is preparing to enter adulthood, 85 per cent living in developing countries.

Many of these young people are faced with prospects of early marriage and child-bearing, incomplete education, and the threat of HIV/AIDS.
With young people, the possibility of influencing values and behaviour still exists; the same applies to behavioural patterns which are not yet consolidated and can therefore be positively influenced.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates, that 70 per cent of all premature deaths amongst adults can be traced back to behavioural patterns acquired and retained during youth.

The costs of failing to support young people will have serious consequences at both the individual and societal level, whereas investing in health and education for young people are among the most cost-effective development expenditures in terms of the social and private returns they generate.

Women
Gender-based violence against women compromises sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Consequences include: unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and maternal mortality; miscarriage and stillbirth; delayed antenatal care; premature labour and childbirth; foetal injury and low birth weight.

Survivors of violence also face higher risks of contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Exposure increases directly with rape and indirectly through fear of negotiating condom use.

The fact that violent men tend to have more partners outside of marriage adds to the risks. Sexual coercion is now considered a significant factor in the continuing rise of HIV among young women. Brutal rape, such as reported in situations of armed conflict, can result in fistula, perforated sexual organs and other related injuries.

There is thus ample evidence of the multiplier effects of investing in gender equity and empowerment of women, which includes the fight against gender-based violence.