Ratanakiri, Cambodia – In the remote, northeastern province of Ratanakiri, midwife Than Bopha is not just delivering babies—she’s delivering change and a full range of sexual reproductive and maternal health services. With over 16 years of experience and a heart committed to community health, Bopha has become a beacon of hope for adolescents and youth seeking reliable, respectful healthcare at the Ou Chum Health Center.
Particularly, Bopha is acutely aware of the challenges teenagers face when it comes to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Misinformation is widespread. Bopha recalls one teenager told her the belief that using contraception would harm women’s health and affect future babies. “Teenagers here don't really understand their sexual and reproductive health and rights to access the service”, Bopha explains.
The struggle to connect with youth isn’t easy. "Some are shy and hesitate to open up," she says. "Others don't show up for appointments or are resistant to advice." But Bopha doesn’t give up—she adapts.
Seven years ago, Bopha received specialized training in adolescent and youth-friendly health services (AYFHS) through support from UNFPA. Before the training, Bopha had limited knowledge regarding AYFHS. The training has deepened her knowledge in key areas such as contraception, family planning, gender-based violence (GBV), and how to provide youth-friendly services in line with the national protocols and standards.
She now puts that knowledge into practice every day. When teenagers visit the health centre, she ensures privacy by preparing a separate consultation room, fostering an environment of trust where they feel safe to ask questions. “I listen more carefully and explain things in simple terms. I also encourage them to come back regularly.”
Bopha's dedication is part of a broader effort to address a critical need in Cambodia. Across Cambodia, access to adolescent and youth-friendly services remains limited. Only 10% of health facilities that have healthcare providers are capacitated to provide AYFHS, according to the Ministry of Health Annual Report 2024, with access being particularly limited in rural areas like Ratanakiri province. Access to AYFHS is crucial, especially in areas like Ratanakiri, where early marriage and teenage pregnancy are still common. The Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (CDHS) 2021–2022 revealed that the province has the nation’s second-highest teenage pregnancy rate—18.4% of girls aged 15–19 who have been pregnant, double the national average.
To address these gaps, UNFPA in partnership with the Ministry of Health, has been working to scale up AYFHS in UNFPA priority provinces, particularly Ratanakiri for both inside and outside of school. In 2024 alone, more than 115,500 adolescents and youth—including nearly 75,000 girls—accessed youth-friendly services at health facilities across eight UNFPA priority provinces.
Bopha’s story is proof that with the right tools and training, healthcare providers can be the first layer of support that adolescents and youth can rely on. Her dedication is not just about providing services; it's about empowering a new generation to make informed choices, breaking cycles of early marriage and pregnancy, and ultimately, forging healthier and more hopeful futures for the youth of Cambodia, a key for the country prosperity.
