YSW at the 2024 RHNK Conference

Youth for a Sustainable World participated in the 7th Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) Scientific Conference on Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) from June 18th to 22nd, 2024, at the Whitesands Sarova Woodlands Resort in Mombasa.

The annual conference provides a platform for SRHR stakeholders, including experts, activists, and young people, to share experiences and learn about the latest developments in the field. This year’s theme was “Priorities for Advancing AYSRHR in Africa.”

Three YSW  staff presented abstracts.

Musa Ogony presented an abstract titled “Youth-led social accountability for improved accessibility and utilization of ASRH education and YFS provision: A case study of West Pokot.” He showcased social accountability as an intervention for increased investment in adolescent sexual reproductive health services and improved service delivery.

Perece Motoywo presented her abstract titled, Budget analysis as an advocacy tool for improving ASRHR funding. She highlighted how tracking health and ASRH budget allocations and expenditures against approved budgets and implementing existing Family Planning (FP) policies provide a foundation for evidence-based recommendations to increase financing for ASRHR. Using a case study from Y4H project in West Pokot, she illustrated effective methodologies used to gather and analyse information, and shared key results and recommendations from the process.

Masika Mwinyi’s abstract on Lifeyangu.com highlighted the importance of utilizing digital platforms to provide SRHR information to young people. The audience, made up of young people, said continued collaboration with various stakeholders will be essential in enhancing the platform’s reach and impact, particularly in addressing the digital divide and ensuring equal access to SRHR for young women and girls.

Youth for a Sustainable World also hosted a panel discussion titled, “Effectiveness of Social Accountability in Strengthening Systems for SRHR.”  The discussion, moderated by DSW’s Feddy Collins, included DSW’s Ogony and Perece, an adolescent champion Marcellina Chebet, and Kwale County AYP coordinator, Mohammed Mwachakure,

The panel highlighted the community scorecard as a tool for strengthening accountability especially at health facility level. The adolescent champion gave the perspectives of young people on their role, experiences and lessons learnt while conducting community scorecards. DSW staff focused on the best practices, referencing community scorecard exercises from Kwale and West Pokot Counties. The decision maker focused on the role of government in the process. Over 80 individuals, mostly young people, participated in the discussion.