The world’s all-star youth gather at the UN to sound the alarm on the global threat to sexual and reproductive health rights.
by Innocent Grant
The UN General Assembly brings together the world’s most accomplished and engaged young leaders working on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Many of these leaders are sounding the alarm on the growing threat to sexual and reproductive health and rights across the globe.
FPNN Community Reporter, Innocent Grant, checked in with these leaders and asked them about the state of SRHR and what needs to be on the UNGA agenda.
Bisrat Dessalegn
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Bisrat is an emerging global health leader dedicated to promoting holistic wellbeing and advocating for equality in
Ethiopia and globally. With expertise in sexual and reproductive health (SRHR), research, and meaningful youth engagement, she is skilled in project management, data analysis, and advancing gender equity. Bisrat’s work focuses on improving access to comprehensive SRHR services, empowering young people to become agents of change, and addressing the social determinants of health to achieve equitable outcomes. Through her leadership and collaborative approach, Bisrat is driving impactful initiatives that positively transform communities and inspire a more just, inclusive and sustainable future.
I believe that Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a critical component of advancing SRHR policy as CSE equips individuals, especially adolescents and youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive lives.
Bola Daniel BABAYEDJOU
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Bola Daniel BABAYEDJOU est un leader dévoué à la promotion des droits en santé sexuelle et reproductive, à la formation des jeunes, et à la défense des droits humains en Afrique de l'Ouest et du Centre. Actuellement Coordonnateur national de la Communauté des Jeunes Engagés de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et du Centre (CJE-AOC)au Bénin, il œuvre depuis plus d’une décennie à sensibiliser les adolescents et les jeunes sur les Droits en Santé Sexuelle et Reproductive (DSSR). Il est également cofondateur de la Coalition des Organisations de Jeunes pour l’Avortement Sécurisé (COJAS-Bénin) et du Centre de Formation en Mécanismes de Protection des Droits Humains (CFMPDH), deux initiatives qui ont impacté des centaines de jeunes sur des sujets clés tels que l'éducation, le DSSR, le bien-être, et la lutte contre la Violence Basée sur le Genre (VBG).
La solution à prioriser pour améliorer les résultats en matière de santé sexuelle et reproductive est de renforcer l'éducation complète et inclusive sur la sexualité, tout en assurant l'accès aux services de santé reproductive pour tous, y compris les groupes marginalisés. En intégrant la santé sexuelle et reproductive à mon travail, je pourrais sensibiliser davantage de personnes sur leurs droits en matière de santé, renforcer l'accès à des services de qualité, et contribuer à l'amélioration du bien-être général des communautés, en particulier des jeunes et des femmes.
The solution to prioritize improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes is to strengthen comprehensive and inclusive sexuality education while ensuring access to reproductive health services for all, including marginalized groups. By integrating sexual and reproductive health into my work, I could make more people aware of their health rights, strengthen access to quality services, and contribute to improving the general well-being of communities, especially young people and women.
Goodness Boluwatife
Adenowo, MD
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I am a physician and a health promotion advocate, actively involved in creating health awareness globally especially in underserved areas in Nigeria through health awareness campaigns, health screenings and services, and digital health initiatives. I am also committed to using my visual art skills to create awareness and solutions that would significantly improve healthcare globally.
Female genital mutilation is still on the rise in Nigeria, affecting the three major tribes; Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. This harmful cultural belief and practice is as a result of a huge knowledge gap and inadequate health awareness. To address this burden, cultural sensitivity will play a significant role and this involves, learning about the beliefs that inform these practices, while also providing accurate information about the risks associated with Female Genital Mutilation. All these needs to be done with conscious efforts as well as advocacy for the health and rights of people affected by female genital mutilation.
Watson Mavura
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Watson Mavura is a passionate advocate for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), dedicated to promoting gender equality and social and economic justice. With a strong commitment to empowering marginalized communities, he has taken on various leadership roles that reflect his dedication to advocacy and community engagement. As an SRHR advocate, Watson works tirelessly to raise awareness about the importance of comprehensive health education and access to reproductive services. He also champions gender issues, striving to create equitable opportunities for all, regardless of gender. In addition to his advocacy work, Watson serves as a Social and Economic Justice Ambassador, focusing on policies that uplift and empower underserved populations. With a collaborative spirit and a commitment to making a meaningful impact, he continues to lead initiatives that foster inclusivity and drive positive change in society.
To improve SRHR outcomes, I firmly believe that comprehensive sex education and accessible reproductive services are crucial. This includes addressing systemic barriers, promoting inclusive policies, and empowering marginalized communities to make informed decisions about their bodies and well-being.
Aura Lindo
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Aura Lindo, 24 is an Afro-Caribbean Queer person committed to the pursuit of joy and liberation for all young people. With a background in birthwork and public health they began their career as a Reproductive Justice organizer and Community Health Educator in 2019. Though they started in the Southern United States, Aura's impact now reaches international stages. In 2024 Aura shared their youth equity and inclusion strategies as a speaker at the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue in Cotonou and UN Summit of The Future in NYC. They continue to drive this movement forward as a consultant across national organizations in the youth engagement sector. Aura’s talent for communication, creativity and authenticity allows their work to span many issue areas including improving access to comprehensive sex education and menstrual equity, promoting environmental sustainability and marine conservation and ensuring the safety and overall leadership development of youth.
One topic I believe needs to be talked about more in sexual and reproductive health is menstrual equity. Around the globe strides have been made to improve period poverty, the lack of access to safe and hygienic spaces to manage menstruation. However I believe much more awareness and intention needs to be brought to educating young people regardless of gender about the complete menstrual cycle and how changing hormones impact our everyday life. I believe true investment in menstrual health education initiatives, in addition to providing comprehensive reproductive healthcare that supports the natural cycle brings us not only closer to our own bodies but to each other as we build a network of stigma free community care.
Najma Ilma Justine
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I am a dedicated and passionate 3rd-year student nurse at Amref International University, driven by a profound desire to serve and save lives within my community. My ultimate goal is to excel academically, gain valuable research experience, and actively participate in impactful projects that contribute to healthcare advancement. I am an SRHR champion.
Despite its proven effectiveness, many regions still lack adequate access to CSE, which equips young people with critical knowledge about consent, contraception, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and reproductive health rights.
Open dialogue around integrating CSE into schools and communities, tailored to local contexts, can significantly impact SRH outcomes, especially in preventing unintended pregnancies and reducing STI rates.
For those not yet working in sexual health, incorporating SRH into their work can strengthen it by fostering holistic well-being. In fields like community development, counseling, or youth advocacy, SRH can be pivotal in addressing issues like gender-based violence, mental health, and social inequalities.
Understanding and promoting SRH rights would allow for more inclusive, empowered communities, ultimately enhancing broader health and social outcomes.
KASHINDE ETUMBA SMITH
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KASHINDE ETUMBA SMITH, 29 ans jeunesDéfenseur de la Charte africaine de la jeunesse pour l’Union africaine en RDC (2020-2023) initiateur de la Plate-forme Dialogue intergénérationnel en RD Congo www.dialogue-intergenerationnel.org , actif dans le monde associatif depuis 2009 partant du Parlement d’enfant au Nord Kivu à l’Ambassadeur du Cordaid RDC du programme JeunesS3 dans lutte pour le droit à la Santé sexuelle et reproductive des jeunes en RD Congo, nommé en 2020 en qualité de jeune défenseur de la Charte africaine de la jeunesse (Hustler) près de l’Envoyée Spéciale de l’Union africaine pour la jeunesse la Charte africaine de la jeunesse en RD Congo, actuellement Expert du Mécanisme National de Suivi de l’Accord-cadre d’Addis-Abeba et fait partie des Experts de la Cellule opérationnel des Groupe de contacts et de Coordination travaillant étroitement avec le Bureau de l’Envoyé Spécial du Secrétaire Général des Nations Unies pour la région des Grands –Lacs.
En matière de la santé sexuelle et reproductive, bien que plusieurs sujets demeurent importants sur lequel nous devons plus insister, toutefois, celui en lien avec les interdits dans les traditions demeuré doivent levés. Il faut encore une communication intense de sensibilisation.
When it comes to sexual and reproductive health, there are still a number of important issues on which we need to place greater emphasis, but the one relating to traditional prohibitions remains to be resolved. Intense communication and awareness-raising are still needed.
Andi Asrul Juwanda
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Andi is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, with a focus on Health Education and Health Communication. Prior to attending Hopkins, Andi worked for over 9 years at Indonesia's Social Security Administering Body for Health (BPJS Kesehatan). This role deepened his understanding of and commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across Indonesia. His approach integrates innovative strategies in health communication and digital health interventions to achieve better health outcomes.
As a health communication and health education student, I’ve come to realize that Comprehensive sex education is vital in equipping individuals, especially young people at higher risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves. These programs should provide accurate information on sexual health, consent, contraception, and STI prevention, including the importance of condom use, regular testing, and open communication with partners. Addressing misconceptions, reducing stigma, and ensuring access to sexual health services are key to empowering individuals to make informed decisions and prevent the spread of STIs in our communities.
Jefferson Chen
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My name is Jefferson Chen, and I am the co-founder of Lafiya Nigeria, an organisation pioneering community-based distribution of self-injectable, starting in rural northern Nigeria. Our raison d'etre is to put agency back in women's hands, starting from contraception.
We recruit "Lafiya Sisters" from existing local networks of nurses and midwives who were chosen by their communities to receive a 2-year healthcare education. Then we upskill them in FP counselling and administration, and equip them with Sayana-Press contraceptives, which they routinely distribute to rural women while working in health clinics and informal community settings. In our short 3 years of existence, we have reached more than 40,000 women across 3 states in northern Nigeria (Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto), and are entering our fourth state of Kano imminently. Our work has been featured by BBC, and Vox, and I have been recognised by the Commonwealth as Young Person of the Year in Europe and North America.
My personal background is a master's in chemistry from Oxford, followed by work experience as a consultant, biotech operator, and a healthcare venture capital investor.
Community-centered interventions are essential to improving SRHR, particularly in regions where access to healthcare and information is limited. One significant example is the use of community health workers, such as nurses and midwives embedded in local networks, to deliver contraception and family planning services directly to underserved women. These workers are trusted members of the community, making them uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between formal healthcare systems and the individuals who need care the most. By integrating health workers into local communities, interventions become not only more accessible but also more culturally sensitive and sustainable.
Community trust and engagement are key drivers of success. When health workers are from the communities they serve, they can address the unique social and cultural barriers that often prevent women from accessing sexual and reproductive health services. In the case of Lafiya Nigeria, our Lafiya Sisters are deeply embedded within the communities, and are the node of trust between the community and healthcare access. Through conducting community outreaches to wards and settlements where there are often women from for instance the Fulani tribe, who are unregistered in the healthcare system, we ensure that we can truly reach the unmet need. This approach also allows for more personalized and continuous care, which is critical for fostering long-term behavior change regarding family planning and contraceptive use.
