“We are not just the future. We are the now.” These were the words that echoed in my head throughout my time at the UNAIDS East and Southern Africa Youth-Led Forum, from June 18th to 20th. As a 19-year-old advocate, I’ve attended my fair share of meetings and panels, but this one was different. I could feel the efforts for this engagement weren’t about ticking boxes or taking notes. It was about taking space, taking charge, and taking action.
When I arrived in Johannesburg, I could feel the energy even before I entered the room. Young leaders from across the region, diverse in identity but united in mission, had come together not just to talk but to organise. What I experienced over those days reshaped my perspective on youth engagement, movement-building, and what it truly means to lead a rights-based response to SRHR and HIV.
“If you don’t define your interests, someone else will.” These opening words from Anne Githuku-Shongwe of UNAIDS reminded us that with the conclusion of the ESA Commitment phase and the halt of peer education programs, more than 200,000 young educators found themselves without a clear path forward. Fortunately, she also highlighted the gaps rather than just pointing them out.
“We were reminded to step into power, to stop being passive recipients of donor-driven priorities and to build resilient movements of our own.”
This hit home for me, and I realised that sustainability doesn’t begin with funding.
As the programme continued, Meron from UNFPA presented alarming data that further deepened the urgency. HIV prevalence among adolescent girls is still up to five times higher than among boys. Teenage pregnancy remains rampant. Yet, much of the programming we see doesn’t speak to the root causes, such as gender inequality, economic marginalisation, and lack of access to comprehensive sexuality education. I kept thinking, if the data is this clear, why are we still struggling to secure investment in solutions we know work?
Then Chris from UNAIDS presented “The Cost of Inaction.” This presentation wasn’t just a talk, but a wake-up call. He showed us not only statistics but the real human cost of neglect. We learnt how, when systems fail to act, young people pay the price, we pay with our health, our dignity, and sometimes our lives.
What I appreciated most about this forum was that it didn’t stop at identifying problems. We moved into solutions that were real, tangible, and youth-led. In one session, we explored digital innovations and the role of artificial intelligence in expanding access for young people living with disabilities. We imagined platforms that could translate SRHR information in real-time for visually impaired youth or connect isolated rural adolescents to confidential services. These weren’t theoretical discussions. They were blueprints for action.
“How can we advocate for rights if we don’t know what laws and policies are in place, or the rights we have, or perhaps what our governments have committed to?”
Most of us in the room couldn’t name more than a few of the ESA commitments, so this made it interesting when discussing accountability. That was a powerful reminder that before we can hold our leaders accountable, we have to equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools to do so. It’s not just about being loud. It’s about being informed, strategic, and consistent.
And as much as we spoke about tools and tactics, we also leaned into something more human: our shared stories. We discussed the ethics of storytelling, especially when it comes to sharing experiences of trauma, identity, or activism online. Gemma from UNICEF reminded us that while stories can drive change, they also come with risks, including misinformation, political misuse, and even harm to those sharing their truth. It made me reflect on my journey and the importance of telling stories responsibly, with consent and care.
What struck me most by the end of it all was how much power already lives in youth-led networks. Presentations from the READY Movement, UNITED Movement, and UNAP showcased the scale and sophistication of our organising when it is properly resourced. The good news is we are not starting from zero. We have been building, and what we need now is investment, not in more pilots, but in scale, not in tokenistic youth representation, but in youth-led governance.
I chose to participate in the Policy and Legal Reform Implementation working group. I’ve seen firsthand how poorly drafted laws and unclear policies prevent young people from accessing life-saving care. From barriers in consent laws to criminalisation of key populations, the law can be a weapon or a shield. I want to help make it the latter.
When I facilitated the session on Key Recommendations and Next Steps: Continued Engagement Structures, it occurred to me that if we intend to coordinate our efforts and stay connected beyond the forum, we need to take proactive steps to do so. This forum also reminded me of something simple but powerful:
“Youth leadership isn’t just about having the mic. It’s about owning the agenda. It’s about being in the rooms where decisions are made, and when necessary, building our rooms. We are no longer asking to be included. We are shaping the narrative and demanding accountability.”
I got the opportunity to create social media content in collaboration with the UNAIDS Eastern and Southern Africa team. I loved this part. Most young people do - it’s camera time. This experience provided me with the opportunity to share my thoughts, lived experiences, and advocacy messages with young people across the region through the UNAIDS platform. It was both exciting and fulfilling to see how digital storytelling can connect and inspire others.
Leaving the forum, I felt more than just notes - I had renewed confidence and strong connections with other inspiring young advocates. I carry the responsibility of what comes next, but also the joy of knowing I’m not alone. To every young person wondering if your voice matters, it truly does. To every adult ally or donor unsure of your role, support us, fund us, and step back when we lead. When young people lead, possibilities not only open—they multiply. I also want to thank Y+ Global, READY+, and the UNITED! Movement for their ongoing support of young people in these spaces. I also want to encourage people to sign up so they can make a difference too!