The Youth Power Driving #ESA Commitments Project
The East and Southern Africa (ESA) Ministerial Commitment, endorsed in 2013, are crucial for improving access to the sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of adolescents and young people in the region. SRHR services can be accessed by fostering inter-sectoral collaboration between stakeholders, young people, and governments.
Adolescents (10-19 years) and young (19-35) constitute 20.3 % and 75% of the African population, respectively. To tap into this demographic dividend, there is an urgent need to ensure young people’s good health and well-being. The ESA Commitments recognise the centrality of ASRHR in transforming Africa into a healthy and prosperous continent. However, these commitments are not being met due to a lack of accountability by duty bearers and the limited engagement of youth within SRHR spaces. There is inadequate data and monitoring systems, which make it difficult to track progress accurately and identify areas that require attention and improvement, and a lack of regional coordination and collaboration due to differences in priorities, political dynamics, and historical tensions.
Meet the Youth Accountability Champions from the ESA region.
Overcoming these challenges and fostering effective regional partnerships requires strong collaboration and concerted efforts to let young people take the lead in identifying challenges, cultivating solutions, and monitoring progress. By increasing the agency of young leaders to claim their rights and hold duty-bearers accountable for their commitments, young people will be able to advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable ASRHR. Meet the Young Leaders driving the accountability work in the ESA region.
Nellie Tsamwa – Malawi
Nellie Tsamwa is a communications professional, writer, and advocate for gender equality. I have worked with Nation Publications Limited, one of Malawi’s leading media houses. I have also worked with several CBOs and CSOs under the Tilitonse Foundation. Currently serving as Communications Officer for Action Hope Malawi, I am passionate about child protection, HIV and AIDS prevention, gender equality, and women’s empowerment, as well as ensuring that marginalised women have access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and are resilient in the face of climate-related disasters. I am currently working on a climate change adaptation project with Action Hope Malawi that focuses on enhancing the resilience of key populations (KPs) to access SRHR services and withstand climate-related shocks.
Sabina Muchese- Zambia
Sabina Muchese is a spoken word artist, certified public speaker, certified psychosocial counsellor, information scientist, secretary at Dzuka Cholinga Youth Zambia and EHLISA president. She is a radio presenter and a sexual reproductive and health advocate. Through her live podcasts, she has created a platform for young people to actively engage in matters that directly affect young people in the community, including sexual reproductive health, governance, digital literacy, and financial literacy.
Tanatswa Mukundu – Zimbabwe
Tanatswa Mukundu is a passionate advocate for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRHR) and a transformative healing coach dedicated to empowering the next generation, particularly young women. She empowers young people through education, counselling, and providing access to health services to inspire change and foster resilience. With a proven track record in both rural and urban communities from her work with Tariro Youth Development Trust in Zaka and Youth Aspire Development Trust in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, Tanatswa currently serves as a Programs and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Hope for Adolescents and Youth, leading initiatives on ASRHR with heartfelt dedication. Believing in the strength of collective action, she is committed to shaping a more equitable future for all young people.
Cecelia Mpande – Malawi
Cecilia Mphande is a dynamic and results-driven advocate with over nine years of experience in youth work programming, HIV prevention, and gender-based violence interventions. She is a Trainer of Trainers (ToT) in the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). She has played a key role in policy advocacy at national and global levels, including representing AGYW on Malawi’s Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM). Cecilia is the current executive secretary for the Malawi Civil Society Advocacy Forum, which advocates for HIV, TB, malaria, and climate change. As a dedicated leader, she has successfully designed and implemented high-impact programs that enhance access to integrated SRH/HIV/GBV services for AGYW, working.
Mike Tembo – Zambia
Mike Tembo is an award-winning journalist, human rights advocate, and Public Relations and Communication Specialist dedicated to championing adolescent health, gender equality, and social justice. He is a founder of Mike’s New Generation Vision (MNGV). Mike amplifies youth voices and drives impactful policy change through strategic communication and advocacy. With a proven track record, Mike has worked with global institutions like the African Union, SRHR Africa Trust (SAT), and Restless Development and was appointed the Feminist Foreign Policy Ambassador by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reflecting his influential role in shaping a more equitable future.
Immaculate Nabulya- Uganda
Immaculate Nabulya is a passionate advocate for sexual and Reproductive Health and mental health. She is a certified counselling psychologist and social worker dedicated to helping all categories of people solve psychosocial issues through counselling and education to create change and relief in their lives. She has worked with Restless Development Uganda on various projects regarding SRHR and livelihoods. She also works in a mental institution in the Alcohol and Drug Unit and is currently working on a proposal on how to incorporate SRHR into mental health. She also engages and volunteers with Generation Agenda, an organisation dedicated to serving young people at all costs and making sure that they access equitable health services at all levels, not forgetting to make the leaders accountable for the actions and decisions they make when it comes to youth inclusion in health sectors.
Aurelia Origi – Kenya
Aurelia Origi is a Political Scientist who firmly believes in women and girls taking up space and stepping into their power. She currently works with and for Positive Young Women Voices; she uses her knowledge and expertise to design and implement programs to advance the rights and freedoms of Adolescent Girls and Young Women in their diversity. Aurelia is also proficient in Kenya Sign Language at a basic level, which allows her to engage with diverse communities and promote inclusivity in her work.
Pili Mwita – Kenya
Pili Mwita is a dedicated SRHR advocate with a particular interest in advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescent girls and young women from diverse groups. She works with Positive Young Women Voices as the Research and Reporting officer. Her work with the organisation informs her contribution to policy advocacy through research, aiming to promote the inclusion of marginalised communities in decision-making spaces that impact them politically, socially, and economically.
Claire Nakasango – Uganda
Claire Nakasango is an emerging activist passionate about gender equality, climate action, and youth involvement. She has worked with Restless Development as a girl champion in grassroots communities to bring positive change. She is eager to connect and work with like-minded individuals to create change.
Nyasha Dangarembizi – Zimbabwe
Nyasha Dangarembizi is a dedicated social worker and passionate champion for young people’s Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). She has volunteered with Restless Development Zimbabwe as a Young Leader in her community, spearheading community dialogues and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) sessions. She has engaged communities and stakeholders to build stronger support systems for young people. Nyasha currently serves as a facilitator with Restless Development for a research project in collaboration with Cesshar Zimbabwe, promoting positive masculinities and sexual health with very young adolescents. She is also a Program Associate with Restless Development Zimbabwe under the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab, where she continues championing youth voices.
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Learn more about the project, how it’s shaping young people’s access to SRHR services, and how it’s holding regional leaders accountable for their commitments.
