January 03
Ethiopia: Beskeshe - Creating a Space to Empower Young Girls
Hana and Mertnesh, both 14-year-old girls, attend Bule Hora Elementary School, in the Oromia region. They share a special bond as members of Her Space, Beskeshe in the local… Read more »
October 17, 2023
Kenya: Young SRHR Advocates Stand Up to Fake News and Stigma
The majority of young people living with HIV, 60 per cent of the global total, are in Eastern and Southern Africa and only 70 per cent in 12 countries in the region have access to… Read more »
October 23, 2023
Africa: Youth Leaders Innovate to Pave the Way for Ending Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage By 2030
In a powerful gathering of innovative minds, UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, in collaboration with the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the… Read more »
October 11, 2023
Africa: Empowering Girls Today for a Better Tomorrow - UNFPA's Mandate On International Day of the Girl Child
By Shudufhadzo Musida, Former Miss South Africa and UNFPA Regional Champion Read more »
October 03, 2023
Ethiopia: Defying Conflict and Child Marriage to Champion Girls' Education and Rights in Ethiopia
"I was very scared when I first entered the safe house. I was lonely and didn't leave my room for a month," said Ms. Alemtsehay*, now 18. Read more »
August 16, 2023
Namibia: New Centre Aims to Empower Namibian Youth to Thrive
WINDHOEK, Namibia--At 16, Maria Hailonga experienced a significant trauma that affected her mental health - the death of her mother. She needed help to deal with her loss but she… Read more »
August 09, 2023
Tanzania: Stephen Bikoko - the Visionary Peer Educator Behind Upendo Group's Youth Empowerment Drive in Tanzania
Mother-of-two Melania Zambiliti, 21, wanted something more for herself and her family. Living with her in-laws and working as an ad hoc cleaner at a local restaurant where she was… Read more »
July 26, 2023
Tanzania: Using Art and Animation to Strike Down Female Genital Mutilation in Tanzania
Glory Charles Mlagwa, 25, is a medical expert and public health specialist. She is the winner of the 2022 Spotlight Initiative-supported FGM (female genital mutilation) Hackathon,… Read more »
June 15, 2023
Africa: A New Era for African Children - the Digital Revolution's Double-Edged Sword
Blog by Shudufhadzo Musida, Miss South Africa 2020 and Regional Champion for UNFPA East and Southern Africa, to commemorate the International Day of the African Child: the rights… Read more »
May 15, 2023
Rwanda: Putting Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights At Front and Center in Rwanda
Community engagement has been regarded as a vital component to ensure that adolescents and young people have access to information on Sexual and Reproductive Health and rights… Read more »
May 04, 2023
Southern Africa: Youth Leaders From East and Southern Africa Unite and Embark On HIV and Sexual, Reproductive Health Movement
More than 100 young people from 14 countries across East and Southern Africa gathered for a three and half day summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, to delve into critical issues… Read more »
April 26, 2023
Angola: Angola's Youth Take Charge of Their Sexual and Reproductive Health Through the Safeguard Young People Programme
Youth activist Silvia Francisco was stumped by an internal battle she faced - until she joined a programme that empowers people in their sexual and reproductive health. "I live… Read more »
April 14, 2023
Mozambique: 'Parents Thank Us for the Choices Their Daughters Make' - the Power of Youth Mentors in Reducing Teenage Pregnancy and Child Marriage
Mozambique It was a tough challenge that met strong resistance. But the group of young women that promote sexual and reproductive health among their peers in Montepuez could not… Read more »
March 20, 2023
Madagascar: UNFPA Launches Digital Incubation Space to Empower Young People in Madagascar to Innovate for Change
Madagascar's First Lady, Mialy Rajoelina, launched a digital incubation space provided by UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, where young people can… Read more »
January 25, 2023
Mozambique: 'I Can Now Go Back to School' - Teenage Mother Overjoyed She Can Prevent Unintended Pregnancies With Contraception
Fátima António, 18, the mother of a five-month-old boy, told UNFPA she was "apprehensive and hesitant" about using contraception. She is not alone. Nampula province… Read more »
November 04, 2022
Malawi: How Young Mothers Are Getting a Fresh Start in Life in Rural Malawi
MCHINJI, Malawi - Cecilia Zimba dropped out of school when she was 17 because her parents couldn't afford to support her education - but she had high hopes they would find the… Read more »
October 17, 2022
Africa: Investing In Young People's Health - Access To Sexual And Reproductive Health And Mental Health
2022 YouthConnekt Africa Summit Read more »
September 22, 2022
Kenya: Empowering Young People to Prevent Digital Gender-Based Violence in Elections
The rise in gender-based violence assisted by technology - including cyberbullying, cyberstalking, doxxing, hate speech, and gendered disinformation - is a continuation of offline… Read more »
July 28, 2022
Africa: Girl Defies Stigma of Rape and Resulting Motherhood to Pursue Her Dream of Being a Lawyer
NGAZIDJA, Moroni, Comoros - After school, Mariama* was invited over one day by a man who was well known in the neighbourhood. "I followed him into his house. I did not know that he… Read more »
June 30, 2022
Uganda: HIV-Positive Teen Mum Inspires Her Peers By Sharing Her Life Experiences As a Peer Educator
Young people find it easy to talk to 20-year-old Rebecca. Not only is she confident, warm and knowledgeable, particularly about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR),… Read more »
July 05, 2022
Africa: Nearly a Third of All Women in Developing Countries Become Mothers During Adolescence - Research
Nearly a third of all women in developing countries begin childbearing at age 19 and younger, and nearly half of first births to adolescents are to children, or girls aged 17 and… Read more »
June 22, 2022
Africa: Bursaries Keep Girls in School, to Avoid Child Marriage and Early Pregnancy
DEDZA, Malawi--For the past three years, Lusita Maikolo has been in and out of school. Her parents could not always afford to pay her school fees, and this led to her being… Read more »
May 31, 2022
Ethiopia: Ethiopia's Worst Drought in 40 Years Threatens to Derail Gains in Maternal and Newborn Health
GODE, Ethiopia - "When I saw my baby's hand coming out, I ran for our lives. We travelled nearly 90 kilometres to the nearest health facility... We are both lucky to be alive." Read more »
May 26, 2022
Africa: Climate Justice Requires Ending Climate Crisis-Related Child Marriages
Climate justice will not become a reality unless sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), which are crucial to achieving gender equality, are placed at the centre of… Read more »