The Women Deliver 2023 Conference held in Kigali, Rwanda marked a decisive turning point for the health and well-being of women, children, and adolescents. The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), the largest global alliance dedicated to this cause, played a crucial role during the event by organizing several influential sessions.
These sessions provided a voice for the 1.8 billion adolescents and young people who populate our world today, and whose needs are often overlooked. André Ndayambaje, a member of PMNCH’s Strategic Advocacy Committee, emphasized the importance of these sessions at the conference: “The voices of young people and adolescents must be placed at the center of decision-making processes concerning their health and well-being, empowerment and resilience, education and skills, as well as their connection with people and the planet.”
These sessions also served as a launching pad for the upcoming Global Forum for Adolescents (GFA), scheduled for October 11th and 12th, 2023. This forum, supported by PMNCH and its partners, will be a key step in the “1.8 Billion Young People for Change” campaign, bringing together youth, advocates, global leaders, and decision-makers.
Youth Concerns During the Women Deliver 2023 Conference, several major concerns were raised by young participants. These concerns reflect the challenges they face in their daily lives and highlight areas that require urgent attention and action.
One of the most pressing issues emphasized is the impact of climate change on the health and well-being of adolescent and young women. Young people expressed their concern about how climate change exacerbates existing inequalities and poses additional health and well-being challenges. For instance, women represent 80% of those displaced by climate change, and young children bear a significant burden of climate-related illnesses.
PMNCH: Amplifying the Voices of Youth for a Better Future PMNCH: Amplifying the Voices of Youth for a Better Future These concerns are not just abstract issues for the youth; they have a direct and tangible impact on their daily lives. Therefore, it is essential for policymakers to listen to these concerns and take action to address them. Active listening and consideration of youth concerns are crucial steps in developing policies and initiatives that genuinely meet their needs.
“The Youth Want” Survey As part of the “1.8 Billion Young People for Change” campaign, PMNCH has launched an innovative survey titled “The Youth Want.” The survey aims to gather the opinions and expectations of young people worldwide regarding health and well-being.
“The Youth Want” survey is an unprecedented initiative that aims to reach over one million young respondents. It represents the largest exploration ever undertaken of young people’s expectations from their leaders. The questions cover a variety of topics, ranging from health and education to employment and the environment, to provide a comprehensive picture of youth concerns and aspirations.
PMNCH: Amplifying the Voices of Youth for a Better Future PMNCH: Amplifying the Voices of Youth for a Better Future The initial results of the survey, to be unveiled on International Youth Day, August 12th, 2023, are crucial in understanding youth expectations. These results will provide valuable insights that will help policymakers develop policies and initiatives that truly cater to the needs of the youth.
