When I walked into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Minimum Standards Meeting on SRHR, which took place from 31 March to 3 April 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, I didn’t just show up as Gracious; I arrived holding space for every young person across Southern Africa—young people whose dreams are shaped—or shattered—by their access to quality sexual and reproductive health services. I came with urgency, purpose, and the resonance of lived experiences far beyond my own.
SRHR isn’t just a health issue. It’s a justice issue. A development issue. A human dignity issue. And being invited by the UNITED! Movement to represent youth voices in this space? That wasn’t a favour. It was a responsibility.
This was no ordinary conference. Over 80 delegates, from SRHR programme managers across 15 SADC Member States to UN agencies, technical leads, and youth advocates, gathered with one clear goal: to update the SADC Minimum Standards for integrating SRHR into primary health care and humanitarian systems. But here’s the difference: this wasn’t just technical jargon in a closed boardroom. It was a participatory, future-defining process. We weren’t just checking boxes. We were building a blueprint for real change.
For too long, SRHR has been treated like an optional extra. But without it? There’s no equity. No freedom. No future. One of the most enlightening parts of the conference was diving into the WHO SPDI Tool, a framework built around service, planning, delivery, and implementation. It sounds technical, but here’s the magic: when done right, it can localise, prioritise, and revolutionise how SRHR is delivered on the ground. In breakout groups, we unpacked how countries can use this tool to harmonise access to contraception, safe abortion care, HIV services, and mental health support, especially for young people.
It’s not just about having policies. It’s about turning them into impact.
The conversations were bold and uncompromising as we confronted hard truths and named the systemic failures holding back progress on SRHR. We spoke openly about policy misalignments between countries, where some are moving forward while others remain far behind. The crumbling infrastructure that delays care, the chronic underfunding that leads to commodity stockouts, and the urgent need to engage men and fathers in transforming harmful gender norms. We also highlighted the lack of youth-led accountability structures, which continues to silence those most affected.
What’s clear is that we cannot fix SRHR in isolation. These issues are deeply interconnected with broader governance, financing, and social systems. If we’re serious about building responsive, equitable SRHR systems, we must also confront and transform the foundations they depend on. The time for polite conversation and surface-level reform is over. What’s needed now is coordinated, courageous action.
Watching youth perspectives influence the drafting of the 2025 Minimum Standards and knowing that our contributions shaped policy-level decisions wasn’t just validating; it was empowering. Representation mattered that day and matters always. However, too few young people were present, and even when included, the space wasn’t always youth-friendly. The language, pace, and structure often left our peers in the shadows. Inclusion isn’t enough if it’s not empowering.
Integrating SRHR is not just a technical checkbox; it’s a fundamental development priority. It determines whether girls are able to stay in school, whether LGBTQ+ youth have access to safe spaces, and whether rural communities are heard or left behind.
Moving forward, I intend to break things down by translating the SPDI Tool and Minimum Standards into youth-friendly formats that are accessible and practical. I will continue using digital storytelling to bring a human face to procurement and infrastructure challenges, turning abstract issues into relatable narratives. I’ll strengthen accountability loops by supporting youth-led feedback and tracking mechanisms that ensure duty-bearers are held accountable. And last but not least, I’ll push for intentional male inclusion by working with father-focused organisations to shift community norms from within.
This wasn’t just a conference. It was a checkpoint in a bigger journey, where youth are represented and respected. Where we move from “consulted” to “co-creators”. Where SRHR is non-negotiable. I’ll keep showing up. Not because it’s easy. But because I’ve seen what’s possible when we do.