Mazungumzo ya Kimataifa ya Vijana ya ICPD30: Safari Yangu Kuelekea Kuwezesha Wakati Ujao

From April 4-5, 2024, I had the privilege of participating in the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue held in the vibrant city of Cotonou, Benin. This landmark event brought together over 400 young leaders from 130 countries, converging to discuss and shape the future of population and development, with a strong focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), education, human rights, and gender equality.

Hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), along with the Governments of Benin, Denmark, and the Netherlands, the dialogue provided a unique platform for youth activists, policymakers, and regional and intergovernmental organizations to collaborate. The energy in the room was tangible as young people from diverse backgrounds shared their experiences, challenges, and aspirations.

Key Topics in SRHR at the Dialogue

The dialogue featured a series of engaging sessions and plenaries that addressed key issues affecting young people globally. One of the notable sessions I attended was “My Body, My Life: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights & Wellbeing.” This session focused on ensuring access to comprehensive SRH services for all young people, regardless of their location or circumstances. Key commitments included ensuring age-of-consent laws do not deprive young people of access to SRH services and information, implementing legal frameworks to counter gender-based violence (GBV) and other harmful practices, and including youth-centered SRH services within universal health coverage programs, particularly in hard-to-reach areas and countries in crisis. The session also emphasized eliminating legal, structural, financial, and systemic barriers, such as out-of-pocket expenditures and third-party consent requirements, to accessing SRH services.

Another crucial session was on elimu ya kina ya ujinsia (CSE). The discussion highlighted the importance of providing young people with accurate, age-appropriate information to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Ensuring the universal provision of CSE, both in and out of schools, transforming education systems to address systemic gender inequalities, and involving men and boys in this transformation were key points. The session also recognized the need to invest in non-formal education programs, particularly those led by youth, integrating mental health awareness into education curricula, and establishing funds and micro-loans to support skills-building and projects that economically empower youth.

The session on “Radical Inclusion: Promoting Human Rights and Advancing Gender Equality for Youth in All Their Diversities” emphasized the need for inclusive policies and practices that protect the rights of all young people, regardless of their background or identity. Stronger action to stop the interference of anti-rights and anti-gender movements, adopting programs and affirmative initiatives that incorporate a human rights-based and gender equality approach, and ensuring policies promote sexual and reproductive justice and enable youth participation in political processes were among the highlights. The session also called for the protection of young human rights defenders and increased investment in strengthening the capacity of young people and marginalized groups to participate in sustainable development and human rights frameworks.

Connecting for Change

One of the most impactful aspects of the dialogue was the opportunity to engage with influential leaders and activists. I had the honor of meeting Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, and shared with her about what young people are doing in the SRH sphere. Our discussions were enlightening and opened doors for potential collaborations to advance our initiatives in Rwanda. Additionally, I had a productive conversation with Dk. Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli, an SRHR expert who recently retired from the World Health Organization (WHO). We explored various activities we can work on together, focusing on enhancing SRHR services and education in our communities.

A session dedicated to youth-led solutions showcased innovative approaches spearheaded by young leaders to address mental health and SRHR challenges. Examples included the “Safe You” app, highlighted by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem, which empowers and protects women and girls from violence. Successful advocacy efforts for CSE, exemplified by the West Africa Commitment on CSE, and proven strategies to prevent sexual and gender-based violence through pleasure-based approaches and inclusive sexuality education were also discussed.

A Call to Action from Young People

Throughout the ICPD30 Dialogue, we, as young people, collaboratively developed a manifesto with a strong call to action, focusing on five key areas: 

1. Under “My Body, My Life: SRHR and Wellbeing,” we emphasized the necessity of accessible and inclusive SRHR services for all youth. 
2. In “Protecting Human Rights and Advancing Gender Equality for Youth in All Their Diversities,” we called for stronger measures against discrimination and the promotion of inclusive policies. 
3. “Transforming Education, Transforming Lives: Expanding Opportunities for Young People” highlighted the urgent need for equitable and comprehensive education systems. 
4. “Adapting, Thriving and Inspiring: Crafting Resilient Futures in a World in Crisis” focused on youth engagement in climate action and crisis response. 
5. Finally, “Rising Voices: The Power of 1.9 Billion” underscored the importance of amplifying youth voices in decision-making processes globally. 

Our manifesto stands as a testament to our commitment to driving meaningful change and securing a better future for all young people.

Hope for the Future

The closing ceremony was a touching moment of reflection and celebration. It was a powerful platform for young people and decision-makers to review the discussions and outcomes of the dialogue. The joy and hope among the participants were evident as we shared insights and recommendations for the upcoming CPD and Summit of the Future. This event reaffirmed my belief in the power of youth to drive meaningful change and build a better future for all.

Participating in the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue was an enriching and transformative experience. It strengthened my commitment to advancing SRHR and provided valuable insights and connections that will help further our work in Rwanda and beyond. I look forward to implementing the knowledge gained and collaborating with the incredible individuals I met to continue making a positive impact.