In Tarime, Tanzania, an area where a local initiative led by young people, supported by You(th) Care, has seen self-care evolve from raising awareness through the promotion of key messages to a broader movement aimed at encouraging the uptake of these practices. Young people in this community have begun to take ownership of their well-being in powerful ways. What started as donor-supported peer groups and mental health sessions has grown into a community-led effort to make self-care sustainable.
This example was captured during a podcast episode where Lilian Kimath, a programmes officer at the Children’s Dignity Forum (CDF), highlighted how the concept of self-care has transformed the local communities in Tanzania. She emphasised how self-care has many potential benefits, including improved mental health, autonomy and community resilience. Today, You(th) Care has supported youth-led initiatives aimed at helping groups launch small businesses, partnered with local financial institutions, and found ways to support one another emotionally and economically, even beyond the project.
Each year, from June 24 to July 24, the world comes together to commemorate Self-Care Month — a powerful reminder that health begins with individuals and communities, 24/7. This year, under the theme “Promoting Health Literacy,” Y+ Global and our You(th) Care partners have amplified self-care as both a personal and political act, especially critical in today’s reality of shrinking global health funding.
Across Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and beyond, young people have embraced this month not just as a campaign window but as a movement rooted in resilience, equity, and empowerment.
In Tanzania, the Children’s Dignity Forum (CDF) and the Network of Young People Living with HIV in Tanzania (NYP+) took self-care advocacy straight to the people through a local youth radio show (Jirani), hosted by CrownMediaTZ and podcast recordings. Broadcasting in both Swahili and English, these episodes featured young people living with HIV, healthcare providers, and community leaders breaking down myths about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and self-care. The inclusive dialogues emphasised the importance of autonomy, mental well-being, and informed choices, particularly for marginalised adolescents.
[From left to right: Photo courtesy of stbongotv via Instagram, CrownMediaTZ YouTube and Y+ Global X (Twitter) ]
Meanwhile, in Zambia, self-care made its way to television screens. A national TV show dedicated to youth and self-care interventions brought key messages into households across the country. The show highlighted how self-care tools, ranging from HIV self-testing kits to mental health check-ins, are empowering young people to take charge of their health. Youth-led discussions addressed barriers such as stigma and a lack of information, demonstrating that health literacy is not just knowledge, but also a form of power.
"Self-care is not a luxury, it is a right and a necessity, especially for Zambia’s adolescents and young people. In a country where barriers to physical and mental health services still persist, self-care empowers young people to take charge of their well-being. It is a reminder that health is not just found in clinics, but in the everyday choices we make for our bodies and minds. Because when young people thrive, Zambia thrives."Dr. Newtown Donkola
Advocacy and Health Promotions Program Manager
Y+ Global, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other key partners, recorded a special podcast episode spotlighting the role of health literacy in self-care. The episode featured lived experiences of young people practising self-care, alongside expert reflections on policy and community accountability in health literacy and financing. The podcast served as both an advocacy tool and a knowledge resource, emphasising that self-care is not a standalone intervention, but part of a comprehensive, youth-centred health ecosystem.
The Ambassador for Youth and Adolescent Rep Health Programme (AYARHEP) in Kenya also brought together regional peers in a bold and timely webinar on self-care. The session was more than a panel discussion; it was a call to action. With partners from across East and Southern Africa, the dialogue explored best practices, persistent gaps, and how youth-led solutions can shape more sustainable health systems. Participants emphasised that self-care must be integrated, accessible, and supported by policy, rather than being treated as a luxury or afterthought.
As funding for global health programming continues to shrink, especially in the SRHR space, self-care becomes even more meaningful. It’s not just about individual actions — it’s about systemic change. By promoting self-care literacy and tools, communities can adopt holistic approaches to health and well-being, weather shocks, fill service gaps, and reduce their dependency on overstretched systems.
“The reality is that young people are already practising self-care. What they need is support, recognition, and resources to do it safely and effectively. Even in times of cuts, self-care remains an act of survival, dignity, and resistance.”Ivy Jebet
Programmes Officer, Y+ Global
On social media, Y+ Global supported the Paediatric Adolescent Treatment Africa (PATA) in a collaborative effort with other You(th) Care partners to promote simple, youth-friendly key messages throughout Self-Care Month to advance the uptake of self-care practices and the general promotion of health and well-being, based on the self-care toolkit for young people living with HIV.
[Social media messages aimed at raising awareness about self-care practices, courtesy of PATA]
About You(th) Care
Youth(th) care (2022-2025) is a four-year project supported by Aidsfonds to ensure that vulnerable adolescents and young people in Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania benefit from a more supportive policy and community environment and a strengthened health system, enabling them to practice self-care to promote and maintain their SRHR, access to family planning and prevent HIV and AIDS. The project is implemented by PATA, AYARHEP, Copper Rose Zambia, the Global Network of Young People Living with HIV (Y+ Global), the Network for Adolescents and Youth of Africa (NAYA), NYP+, and CDF Tanzania.