Entering civic space: youth experiences in sexual and reproductive health and rights advocacy in Ethiopia, Mali and Mozambique

Young people are increasingly involved in advocacy on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), but research documenting their experiences remains limited. This article explores how young people advocate for SRHR in Ethiopia, Mali and Mozambique, what motivates them, what barriers they face,...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Charlotte J.W. van Tuijl, Maria Codina López, Siyane Aniley, Niélé Hawa Diarra, Filipe Hovens, Marielle L.J. Le Mat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Adolescence and Youth
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/02673843.2024.2417900
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Young people are increasingly involved in advocacy on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), but research documenting their experiences remains limited. This article explores how young people advocate for SRHR in Ethiopia, Mali and Mozambique, what motivates them, what barriers they face, and how they overcome them. Building on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the findings show that across the three countries, youth are motivated to advocate for SRHR because it resonates with their direct realities, but experience challenges throughout. This is linked to a need for accessible and flexible funding for youth initiatives, trust from established organisations acting as allies, and freedom to establish advocacy agendas. Young people furthermore recommended more diverse youth perspectives should be represented in initiatives. Insights from this study are relevant to youth-led organisations, non-governmental organisations and governments interested in equal partnerships with young people in decision-making, and funders supporting international development aid.
ISSN:0267-3843
2164-4527