Change begins amongst peers
How can young people tackle challenges such as mental health issues, substance use, unfair gender norms and unemployment? The PEGISUS research project has tested an approach that relies on the influence of peers.
For the past three years, the PEGISUS (Peer Education for Gender Inclusion and Substance Use in Southern Africa) research project, led by the University of Basel, has been supporting young people aged 16–24 in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It is integrated into vocational training and addresses the interlinked challenges of mental health, substance use, unfair gender norms and youth unemployment. The project builds on the strong influence of peers and harnesses social relationships as a force for positive behavioural change.
The project leaders, Beatrice Chiyokoma (BC) from Zambia and Mathias Basera (MB) from Zimbabwe, answered our questions.
What are you particularly proud of?
BC: I am extremely proud of the young people we’ve worked with, who came out without fear of stigmatisation. They all came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and had to contend with substance abuse as well as unfair gender stereotypes and attitudes. They said they wanted to change and went through with their decision despite the prejudices of others.
What have you learnt over the years?
MB: Young people are motivated to change when their peers are involved. As the young people helped shape the activities, the level of acceptance was very high. The Youth Advisory Board also gave the young people a voice.
What are your hopes for the future, now that this project is coming to an end?
BC: I hope that their lives will improve, that they will maintain healthier behaviours, and that they will gain hope for the future through vocational training and prevention initiatives.
MB: I hope that this approach will be adopted by policy-makers and integrated into other vocational training programmes, so that more young people can benefit from it.
