The second instalment of MenEngage Africa’s (MEA) Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Learning and Exchange Symposium is due to be held in Nairobi, Kenya! The symposium will foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and action towards achieving comprehensive sexuality education, safe abortion, and youth-friendly services. This symposium aligns with the objectives outlined in the MEA SRHR Strategic Plan (2023-2027) and focuses on the LINK, LEARN, IMPROVE, and INFLUENCE approach. Sexual and reproductive health and rights are crucial for human well-being, gender equality, and social development.
The MenEngage Africa SRHR Learning and Exchange Symposium is an important platform to bring together diverse practitioners, policy makers, community gatekeepers and young people in all their diversities to unpack youth involvement and participation in knowledge sharing and development of SRHR priorities in Africa. This year the symposium sets itself apart by prioritising young voices and leadership, in the drive to improve SRHR and GBV advocacy and outcomes.
“We are excited to have another opportunity to gather practitioners, young people, policymakers, religious and traditional leaders and academics in Africa to discuss the progress of SRHR and gender equality in Africa”, said Sonke’s SRHR Specialist, Jude Thaddeues Njikem.
“This conversation is especially important given the current climate where we commemorate ICPD and plan for the commemoration of Beijing Platform, we must convene to look at the strategies that have allowed us to make progress, plan on how to amplify learnings from our collective work and how to counter the anti-SRHR movement that is growing” he adds.
Africa faces numerous challenges, including limited access to comprehensive sexuality education, safe abortion, and youth-friendly services, particularly for marginalised populations. Young people in Africa have limited knowledge and access to contraception due to myths and social norms, leading to high rates of maternal death and hospitalisation. This is why it is important for all practitioners in the SRHR space to meet and share strategies to end this.
“The symposium is a platform that enables people to speak out about various topics in the SRHR space and people get to learn a lot from the symposium, exchange ideas and network. So, for it to be brought to Kenya is a great honour ‘’, said Ngeso Otieno Reagan, Chairperson of Kenya MenEngage Youth Wing.
Irene Ogeta of ATHENA Initiative, one of the partners of the symposium says “engaging young people to participate in conversations and activities on sexual and reproductive health and rights is essential to providing them with comprehensive and efficient resources and services. Youth will have a forum to express their concerns, tell their stories, and actively engage in shaping policies and programs that have a direct impact on their life at the upcoming MEA symposium.”
The symposium will take a hybrid format, while in-person participation in the symposium may have closed, there are still opportunities to engage virtually by registering for the event or following along on social media platforms. By coming together to address these issues and work towards positive change, we can help create a brighter future for young people in Africa.