by the FPNN News Desk

The Young and Alive Summit 2024 is a vibrant, youth-led platform redefining the future of adolescents’ and youth sexual and reproductive health and rights (AYSRHR) in Tanzania.

This year, the summit’s story will be brought to life through the eyes of the dynamic FPNN Community Reporters. Inspired by experience, passion, creativity, and a commitment to amplifying youth voices, they’ll be on the ground capturing the energy, stories, and transformative moments that make this annual gathering so impactful.

Meet the reporters who will be shaping how the world sees and understands this remarkable movement.

Fatmah Suleyman 

Program Director at Young and Alive Initiative/ Communication expert

Fatmah Suleyman is a dedicated advocate for women and girls, with a focus on advancing Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR). 

She plays an instrumental role in designing and implementing gender-responsive programs addressing key issues such as menstrual health, adolescent nutrition, and gender-based violence (GBV). 

To amplify these efforts, Fatmah leverages technology by utilizing digital platforms for awareness campaigns, fostering community engagement, and showcasing youth-led solutions. 

Through innovative approaches like storytelling, podcasts, and strategic social media initiatives, she ensures that young people's voices are heard, and their challenges are brought to the forefront. 

As part of the FPNN community reporter team, I seek to contribute my expertise in digital engagement and communication to highlight the experiences and resilience of women and girls. My work aims to foster meaningful conversations and inspire actionable solutions for AYSRHR issues globally that will be highlighted in the Young & Alive Summit.

Jandy

Videographer/ Content Creator at Young and Alive Initiative/ ICFP2025 Trailblazer

Katika kongamano la Young and Alive Initiative natazamia kuangalia zaidi Vijana na Wasanii Wanavyoweza Kutumia Vipaji vyao kuelimisha maswala ya Afya ya Uzazi. 

Nipo kwenye mkutano mkubwa wa vijana ( YAI SUMMIT ) unaojadili masuala ya Afya ya Uzazi, Haki na usawa wa kijinsia. 

Katika kongamano hili nitapiga picha na kutengeneza video za washiriki. 

Hapa FPNN nitasimulia zaidi juu ya vijana na wasanii wanavyoweza kutumia vipaji vyao kuelimisha juu ya afya ya uzazi na kuleta mabadiliko chanya kwenye jamii zetu. Afya ya uzazi ni sehemu muhimu ya maisha ya vijana, lakini changamoto bado ni nyingi, kama vile ukosefu wa elimu sahihi, mimba za utotoni, na unyanyapaa.

Hata hivyo, kupitia vipaji kama muziki, uchoraji, uigizaji, kupiga picha na kutengeneza makala wasanii na vijana wana nafasi ya kushawishi fikra na kuchochea mabadiliko. 

Ushirikiano kati ya sekta za sanaa na mashirika ya afya ni muhimu kwa maendeleo endelevu ya jamii.

Irene Mwanjala 

Journalist/Administration Officer at Young and Alive Initiative/ Human Rights Activist

Mimi ni mwanaharakati dhidi ya mimba za utotoni na ndoa za utotoni. Ninataka kujikita katika nafasi ambapo haki za wasichana na afya ya uzazi zinajadiliwa kwa kina.

 Ninatarajia kufanya kazi na makundi kama wasichana walioko katika mazingira magumu au wanawake wanaopitia changamoto za kijamii, ili kuwaelimisha kuhusu haki zao na kuwasaidia kuelewa maswala muhimu ya afya ikiwemo afya ya uzazi. 

Ninaamini kuwa ushiriki wangu katika mkutano wa Young and Alive unaweza kuwa jukwaa la kuimarisha namna ya kutatua changamoto zinazowakumba wasichana, na kuchangia juhudi za kimataifa za kukomesha mimba za utotoni na ndoa za mapema.

Dr Abdulswabdul Khasim

Clinician/Online clinical attendant at Contraceptive Conversation Manju page/ Nutritional and Dietetics student at Open University

For more than 4 years I have been attending the clients in family planning clinics both online (through MANJU platform at Young and alive initiative) and in physical clinics. 

The issues of unplanned pregnancies and contraceptives myth and misconceptions among the universities and college students has been among popular discussions in Tanzania. 

At Young and Alive summit 2024, I am looking forward to covering stories from students and documenting all the challenges, narratives, and proposed solutions for family planning. 

My focus will be on how we bring the suggested solution to practice. Student leaders have a lot of knowledge, and I will be here amplifying their knowledge and ways we can work together for better health outcomes in our communities.

Innocent Grant 

Community Reporter at William Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health

Katika kongamano la Young and Alive hapa Arusha Tanzania, natazamia kuzungumza na wahudhuriaji wa kongamano hili. Kongamano litahudhuriwa na vijana zaidi ya 200 kutoka sehemu zote Tanzania. 

Natazamia zaidi kusimulia habari za vijana viongozi wanao fanya shughuli za kuleta mabadiriko chanya ya afya ya uzazi na usawa wa kijinsia katika jamii zao.Mara nyingi juhudi za vijana hawa viongozi zimekuwa hazisemwi na kusherehekewa kama inavyo takiwa. 

Vijana hawa sio lazima wawe wasomi au wanataaluma katika afya. Isipokuwa  wanaaminika katika jamii zao, wanauwezo mkubwa wa kushawishi na wanatumia maarifa, vipaji na nyenzo chache walizo nazo kusukuma gurudumu la kuleta matokeo chanya katika sekta ya afya ndani ya  jamii wanazo tokea na Tanzania kwa ujumla. 

Kupitia FPNN nitasimulia stori za vijana hawa viongozi na kusherehekea kazi zao na matokeo chanya wanayo leta katika jamii zao. 

Ungana nami kupitia hapa FPNN. 

The FPNN Community Reporters will bring you behind the scenes to experience the summit as it happens. Follow the journey from December 3–6, 2024 for coverage that is youth-led, youth-focused, and youth-driven.