By Bunmi Yekini
Young activists, influencers, and technology experts are breaking new ground in promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) across Africa, harnessing digital technologies to shape a more inclusive, youth-driven narrative. At the “African Voices: Shaping a New SRHR Narrative through Technology” session, held during the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum, panelists underscored the vital role of digital tools in advancing SRHR, especially for adolescent girls and young women.
Africa’s youth, accounting for a staggering 77% of the continent’s population under the age of 35, are not merely passive participants but active drivers of SRHR advocacy. Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer at Brands on a Mission (BoaM), stressed that this new generation of activists is positioned to lead transformative changes. “The young voices that we heard today are the voices we need to keep listening to in our homes, communities, and online,” Sidibe said. “Young people are communication experts shaping our stories and Africa’s future. We need to meet them where they are and expand on their potential.”
The session, part of BoaM’s African Voices initiative, highlighted that these young advocates are challenging long-standing barriers to SRHR access and advocating for services that resonate with their lived realities. Ugandan media personality Angella Summer Namubiru, a digital influencer with over six million TikTok followers, highlighted the importance of social media in amplifying youth-led SRHR advocacy. “Technology gives young people a chance to share their stories, learn about sexual and reproductive health, and create ways to earn money. When young people have these opportunities, they can make better choices for their lives and health,” she said.
Fatima Carvalho, Co-founder of the Eco-Feminism Movement in Cape Verde, noted that integrating traditional wisdom with technological advances makes SRHR interventions more effective. “The most effective SRHR interventions lie at the intersection of tradition and innovation. By combining the wisdom of our ancestors with modern technology, we can create holistic solutions that are both culturally relevant and forward-thinking,” she explained.
Dr. Mercy Nhamo-Murire, Deputy Chief Impact Officer at Tiko, highlighted the transformative impact of technology on SRHR, particularly in addressing the challenges faced by adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa. “Technology and real-time data are proving powerfully effective in unlocking community-based, girl-centred solutions… enabling girls to access integrated, safe, and stigma-free health services,” she said.
Panelists also emphasized that while technology presents incredible potential, it must be accessible and inclusive. Kris Lemon of Reach Digital Health spoke on the need to reach marginalized communities, explaining, “Digital technologies offer particular benefits to young people pursuing their sexual and reproductive health aims. Mobile platforms allow users to access a world of educational, motivational, and supportive content, at low cost and anonymously.”
For Ndiilokelwa Nthengwe, Executive Director of the Voices for Choices and Rights Coalition, the discussion underscored the importance of diverse leadership in SRHR advancement. “The future of technology is evolving much quicker than the representation of accountable leadership. We, African women in all our diversity, need to remain cognizant of this reality,” she urged.
The event also called for collaborative efforts between African influencers, civil society organizations, and tech-driven NGOs to create safe, stigma-free digital spaces for young people, where they can access and shape relevant SRHR content.