The BRAVE Project is advancing adolescent sexual and reproductive health through teen centers, youth leadership, and community partnerships in the Philippines.
The Philippines is home to one of Southeast Asia's largest youth populations, with an estimated 21 million young people between the ages of 10 and 19. Yet, like many countries around the world, it faces barriers to accurate information, supportive services, and safe spaces that continue to hinder young people's development.
Teenage pregnancies, rising HIV infections, and growing mental health concerns remain significant challenges. According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the country recorded 138,697 pregnancies among adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 in 2024. While teenage pregnancies have declined nationally, pregnancies among girls younger than 15 continue to rise, according to the Commission on Population and Development (CPD).
These realities underscore the need for comprehensive, community-based approaches that equip adolescents with knowledge, life skills, and supportive environments to make informed decisions and lead healthy lives.
In Ozamiz City, Northern Mindanao—where there were more than 10,000 pregnancies among adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 in 2024—the Building Resilient and Aware Voices for Empowerment (BRAVE) Project is addressing this need. Funded by Olivia Rodrigo's Fund 4 Good and implemented by Jhpiego Philippines in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Ozamiz City, BRAVE is helping young people build knowledge, confidence, and resilience by equipping them to navigate challenges, make informed decisions, and advocate for their well-being while strengthening the systems that support them.
At the heart of the initiative is a simple but powerful belief: when young people have access to trusted information, supportive mentors, and opportunities to lead, they are better equipped to make informed decisions about their health and future.
Key to the project is the expansion of school-based teen centers—safe, adolescent-friendly spaces that offer information, counseling, referrals, and peer support. In November 2025, Jhpiego and the DepEd Ozamiz City Schools Division doubled the number of teen centers in the division from five to ten. This expansion followed training for school heads, guidance personnel, and center managers on creating more inclusive school environments.
Located within schools, these centers provide support for young people on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, mental health, gender-based violence prevention, disaster preparedness, and other issues affecting adolescents.
The impact is already visible. Project data indicate a 25 percent reduction in teenage pregnancies in areas served by the teen centers, alongside improved access to health information and stronger connections to available services.
“Building social will starts with creating spaces where young people feel heard, respected, and empowered to make informed decisions about their health,” said Coleen Dolina-Anugon, project officer for sexual and reproductive health at Jhpiego Philippines. “Through BRAVE, we are not only providing information and services but also helping communities recognize adolescents as partners in creating healthier futures.”
A defining feature of BRAVE is its emphasis on meaningful youth participation. Rather than being passive recipients of information, adolescents are engaged as leaders, advocates, and co-creators of solutions.
As Maitha Daguman, a Grade 11 student from Ozamiz City National High School, shared, “The teen center has shown us that young people can be part of the solution. By empowering youth leaders, the center is helping create a generation of adolescents who are more informed, responsible, and confident about their future.”
In February 2026, students and teachers from across Ozamiz City participated in a two-day workshop to develop digital and print information, education, and communication materials on adolescent sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence prevention, mental health, and disaster preparedness.
“BRAVE gave us the opportunity to speak about issues that matter to young people and create materials that can help our fellow students make informed choices,” said Marchie Mae Candilla, president of the Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) at Montol National High School. “It showed us that our ideas and experiences can contribute to positive change in our schools and communities.”
Beyond health education, BRAVE has invested in strengthening youth resilience through activities focused on psychological first aid, climate literacy, and leadership development, recognizing that young people face interconnected challenges and require holistic support to thrive.
Jhpiego Philippines was recently recognized by the Department of Education Schools Division of Ozamiz City for its contributions to youth empowerment through adolescent sexual and reproductive health education, mental health support, and climate awareness.
“BRAVE has strengthened our efforts to create schools that are not only centers of learning but also safe spaces where adolescents can access support, develop leadership skills, and openly discuss issues affecting their well-being,” said Arlene Via, senior education program specialist for the Department of Education Schools Division of Ozamiz City.
Following that recognition, Jhpiego partnered with the Ozamiz City Health Office and the DepEd Ozamiz City Schools Division to train additional educators, guidance counselors, nurses, and health providers on adolescent health and resilience.
Due to BRAVE's initial success, Jhpiego and the Commission on Population and Development Northern Mindanao are now working with teen center managers across multiple regions in the Philippines to institutionalize quality standards and create communities where adolescents can thrive.
As a young participant in a BRAVE workshop wrote, “I am BRAVE. We are BRAVE. Together, let's build a generation that is informed, resilient, and empowered.”
Geri Matthew Carretero is the Communications and Knowledge Management Officer for Jhpiego Philippines. Megan Christofield is the Principal Technical Advisor for Family Planning and Reproductive Health.
