ONE VOICE. ONE MOVEMENT.
Young people leading change in HIV and SRHR across Eastern and Southern Africa.
We are building a future where young people are informed, empowered, and at the centre of decisions about their health and rights.
WHO WE ARE
UNITED! is a youth-led regional movement bringing together Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and HIV networks across Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA).
Convening Partners
Key Technical Partners
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Supported By
Our Aim: To accelerate youth-led responses toward HIV and SRHR commitments by bringing young people together under:We advocate for meaningful youth engagement, ensuring young people are not just participants, but leaders and decision-makers.
WHAT WE DO
UNITED! works across four key programmatic areas
1. Strengthening Youth Capacity
- We build the leadership, advocacy, organisational, and digital skills of youth-led networks to ensure they are sustainable, effective, and impactful.
2. Amplifying Youth Advocacy
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We elevate youth-led advocacy at regional and country levels to influence:
- HIV and SRHR policies
- Accountability processes
- Emerging issues like mental health and climate change
3. Connecting & Learning
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We create spaces for youth networks to:
- Share experiences
- Learn from each other
- Use evidence to strengthen advocacy
Through digital platforms and peer learning, we strengthen collective action.
4. Strengthening Partnerships
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We foster collaboration between:
- Youth-led networks
- UN agencies
- Regional bodies
Because sustainable change requires strong partnerships across sectors.
HOW WE WORK
Youth-Led at the Core: UNITED! is driven by young people, as leaders, advocates, and decision-makers.
Steering Committee
The movement is co-led by Y+ Global and AfriYAN ESA, with guidance from a multi-stakeholder steering committee including:
- Youth representatives
- Young Women in Leadership Hub
- UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNAIDS
Regional & Country Engagement
- Active in 15 countries across ESA
- Country representatives and networks collaborate to implement a joint workplan
- Regular convenings support co-creation, coordination, and action
WHY UNITED! MATTERS
Young people face ongoing barriers in accessing SRHR and HIV services, from stigma and discrimination to limited access to information and care.
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UNITED! Movement ensures:
- Young people are heard in decision-making spaces
- Advocacy is collective and impactful
- Solutions are youth-driven and inclusive
OUR IMPACT (2025)
UNITED! is already making a difference
- 15 countries engaged
- 763 members
- 300+ young advocates trained and mentored
- 130+ youth engaged in 15+ high-level policy spaces
- 650+ young leaders in Youth Reference Groups
- 9,000+ users reached on social media
- 221,715+ social media impressions
WE ARE LED BY YOUNG PEOPLE
Meet the UNITED! Movement leaders of change
SHARING, LINKING & LEARNING
UNITED! Movement provides access to a growing range of resources to support young people and networks
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Be part of a powerful regional movement shaping the future of SRHR and HIV.
CONTACT & PARTNERSHIPS
Engagement is coordinated through the UNITED! Movement Co-Conveners and Steering Committee
Y+ Global (Co-Convener)
- Faith Thipe – Programme Officer - fthipe@yplusglobal.org
AfriYAN ESA (Co-Convener)
- Angel Barbirye – President - babirye.m.angel@gmail.com
UNITED! Movement
- UNITED! Movement - leadersunitedmovement@gmail.com
