Activists, influencers, and technology experts have commended African youth for making major strides in championing sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) narratives, particularly for adolescent girls and young women, through digital technologies.
Speaking during the “African Voices: Shaping a New SRHR Narrative through Technology” session, panellists and participants underscored how young people are using the internet to dismantle long-standing barriers to SRHR access.
The session which was held during the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum in Cape Town, spotlighted the immense potential of Africa’s youthful population.
With 77%of Africa’s population under age 35, the continent’s young people are a powerful force for change, uniquely positioned to drive SRHR transformation.
The side event, hosted by Brands on a Mission as part of its African Voices initiative, observed that far from being passive recipients, today’s young people are asserting themselves as discerning consumers of SRHR services, demanding solutions responsive to their preferences, experiences, and realities.
By leveraging these technologies, young people are driving conversations that are deeply relevant to their lives, and actively shaping and influencing public health narratives, helping to dismantle cultural stigmas and expand access to vital SRHR services across the continent.
Brands on a Mission founder and chief mission officer Myriam Sidibe emphasised on the need for Africa’s young people to be central in shaping SRHR solutions.
“The young voices that we heard are the voices we need to keep listening to in our homes, communities and online,” she said.
“Young people are communication experts shaping our stories and Africa’s future, we need to meet them where they are at and expand on their potential. There has been so much hope and excitement expressed on how emerging technologies can unlock innovation and impact for SRHR and Gender Based Violence(GBV) on the African continent.”
During the event, Ugandan media personality and digital content creator Angella Summer Namubiru highlighted the pivotal role of social media in amplifying young people-driven SRHR advocacy.
She said that technology gives young people a chance to share their stories, learn about sexual and reproductive health, and create ways to earn money.
“When young people have these opportunities, they can make better choices for their lives and health without being forced into situations they do not want,” she added.
On her part, Cape Verde-based Eco-Feminism Movement co-founder Fatima Carvalho also highlighted the need to integrate traditional practices with technological advancements to make SRHR interventions more effective.
“I believe that the most effective SRHR interventions lie at the intersection of tradition and innovation. By combining the wisdom of our ancestors with modern technology, we can create holistic solutions that are both culturally relevant and forward-thinking, ensuring that no one is left behind in the fight for reproductive rights and gender equality,” she said.
Tiko deputy chief impact officer Mercy Nhamo-Murire further underscored the vital role technology can play in removing social and financial barriers to care, ultimately empowering girls as agents in their sexual and reproductive health journey.
“Adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa are faced with the interconnected triple threat of teenage pregnancy, HIV infection and sexual violence,” she said.
“Technology and real-time data are proving powerfully effective in unlocking community-based, girl-centred solutions to combat this threat, enabling girls to access integrated, safe and stigma-free health services that work holistically within delicate local contexts to meet their evolving needs.”
The session, part of the broader SVRI Forum agenda, was aimed at strengthening partnerships and fostering new collaborations between African influencers, civil society organisations, and technology-driven NGOs.
The event called for the creation of safe and stigma-free digital spaces where young people can access and shape relevant SRHR content.
Additionally, Reach Digital Health senior monitoring evaluation research and learning associate Kris Lemon said where technologies are developed to facilitate people’s goals, evidence increasingly shows that digital technologies offer particular benefits to young people pursuing their sexual and reproductive health aims.
“Mobile platforms allow users to access a world of educational, motivational, and supportive content, at low cost and anonymously, with AI increasing the match between content and users’ individual needs,” Lemon added.
On her part, Voices for Choices and Rights Coalition executive director Ndiilokelwa Nthengwe highlighted the importance of diverse leadership in shaping the future of SRHR adding that the future of technology is evolving much quicker than the representation of accountable leadership.
She said that African women, in all their diversity, need to remain cognizant of this reality as they grow into positions of influence and leadership.
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